FIC Report (Abia State) – The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo has charged Journalists in the State to be purveyors of truth and ensure they publicise the various developmental strides of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in the State.
Dr. Chikamnayo gave the charge while speaking as a special guest at the Annual Beginning of The Year Thanksgiving Service of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council held at the Press Centre in Umuahia.
He said Governor Ikpeazu is rebuilding Abia State through SME development and promotion of Made in Aba products which has made him win laurels and accolades from the Vice President, Senate President among others as well as won the SME Governor of the year.
He noted that the Governor has revived the moribund Scholarship Board and sent Abia Youths Overseas for studies.
Dr. Chikamnayo, who described Journalists as the conscience of the society, emphasized that news reports must be anchored on balance and good conscience.
He, however, decried the level of illegal practices by Non Professionals who have infiltrated the Profession.
He tasked NUJ to start self-regulating the Union and come up with a draft enactment that would protect the Journalism Profession in Nigeria and made a case for the Union to identify fake Journalists in the State with a view to making the Union free from chalartans.
The Commissioner used the opportunity to announce that he would offset the arrears of rent and 2022 rentage bills of the NUJ Press Centre as well as assured that the NUJ Scretariat building started by him some years back would be completed by the present administration.
The Information Boss stressed the need for all to develope the attitude of thanksgiving unto God and assured that the Abia State government is committed to creating a more robust working relationship between it and the NUJ.
He added that he would attract more favour to the NUJ as he did in his previous tenures as the Commissioner for Information.
In his sermon, the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Finbarrs Catholic, Reverend Father Fortunatus Ikedi-Nwankuba enjoined Journalists to avoid unnecessary distractions in discharging their duties and ensure they uphold the key cannon of Journalism including Truth, Fairness, Objectivity and putting the public interest first in their dealings.
The Reverend Father, who spoke on the topic, “As a Journalist, You are a Shining Star” regretted that journalism today is facing many challenges, maintaining that the only means to succeed is to seek God and desire him. He added that seeking God would make one a shining star in his career.
Earlier, the NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Victor Ndukwe said that the prayer is an annual ritual committed to thanking God for bringing the journalists into the New Year and seek His grace to go through the New Year as they discharge their duties.
He thanked the Special Guest, Dr Eze Chikamnayo and the Guest Speaker, Reverend Father Ikedi-Nwankuba as well as his Colleagues for attending the Thanksgiving Service.
In a related development, the Abia State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo has also charged the Management of the Radio Nigeria, Pacesetter Fm, Umuahia to key into the rebuilding policy of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and become a partner in progress with the State government.
The Commissioner gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Management Team of the Radio Nigeria, Pacesetter FM, Umuahia at the Ministry’s Headquarters.
He explained that the Radio Station could partner the State through good educative and informative programmes aimed at publicising the Transformational Agenda of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
According to the Commissioner, the Governor has achieved much in line with his pillars of development and enablers including SME development, Trade & Commerce, Education, Health, Security, Road Infrastructure among others.
Dr. Chikamnayo expressed hope that Governor Ikpeazu, who is the Rebuilder of Abia would extend his rebuilding mantra and gesture to the Station assuring that Abia State government would partner the Radio Nigeria, Pacesetter Fm, Umuahia and intervene to the extent the resources of government can carry in bringing Pacesetter back to life.
Earlier in his speech, the General Manager, Mr. Uche Ndukwe disclosed that, Pacesetter Fm, though a federal establishment is facing some challenges especially technical and power supply and pleaded with the Commissioner for intervention of the State government.
He also revealed that the Station has plans to introduce a special program specifically for the State as a way of publicising the developmental projects of the State government.
The General Manager thanked Dr. Chikamnayo for the opportunity of the visit and congratulated him on his reappointment describing him as a man that knows the terrain who had earlier had a good working relationship with Pacesetter.
He assured that the Pacesetter FM would work hard to accommodate his requests of the State government to ensure he succeeds in office.
In a vote of thanks, the Head of Programs, Pacesetter Fm, Mr. Cyprian Agbarakwe thanked the Commissioner, saying that they were overwhelmed by the assurances of the Commissioner to them.
He requested that that Station be allowed to be part and parcel of the Ministry of Information & Strategy as they were poised to work with him.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Deaconess Caroline Igwe and State Director of Information, Comrade John Emejor were present during the visit.
