Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
September 25, 2022.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has pledged to train 100 journalists on capacity building to discharge their responsibilities and commitments in the state.
The journalists are to be drawn from the seven chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno state council and to be trained at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
Unveiling the capacity training programme, on Saturday, in Maiduguri, at the Triennial Delegates Conference of the state council of NUJ, the Governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Isa Gusau, disclosed that UNIMAID had been requested to organise a certificate training programme for the journalists.
According to him, the training is also to be funded by the State government to raise the capacity and efficiency of journalists in the state.
He, therefore, urged the Council to nominate its members to fully participate in the training programme to enhance their capacities.
While reiterating the commitments to run an open door policy of his administration, Gusau assured continued support to the journalists to enable them to discharge their duties.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Babakura Abba-Jato, lauded the delegates and contestants for the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
The Commissioner of Information, Babakura Abba-Jato, represented by Baba Sheikh-Haruna, urged the contestants to accept the outcome of the election in the spirit of sportsmanship.
The newly elected Chairman of the Council, Dauda Iliya lauded Zulum for the gesture, adding that the training was in line with its capacity building initiative of the NUJ.
He, therefore, seeks the support and cooperation of all members to enable the leadership move the Union to greater heights of performances across the state.
The inaugurated members comprised Abdulkareem Haruna – Vice Chairman, Ali Chiroma Ibrahim – Secretary, Hauwa Bata – Treasurer, Babagana Ali – Financial Secretary and Bawagana Liman – Auditor.
The Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Yabawa Kolo also congratulated members of the NUJ on the emergence of new leadership under the Chairmanship of Comrade Dauda Illiya.
She commended the media professionals for electing new officers to pilot their affairs, stating that there is no doubt in the capacity of the newly elected officials.
She, therefore, urged them to uphold the professional ethics and standards, while exercising their respective responsibilities.
According to her, the journalists should be resolute in ensuring accuracy, objectivity, and professional ethics of practice.
She noted that this will deepen good governance, transparency and accountability to the people.
Besides, Yabawa added that the press can strengthen government institutions through its watchdog role. She said that reforms are needed to support the media organizations to restore public confidence.
“Government has benefited a lot from the coverage of completed projects and programmes of the Zulum administration,” she said,
She urged the media to key into the 25-year development plan that could drive stabilization, recovery efforts to stimulate economic growth and development.
