Journalists lauded for contributing to dev’t of Abuja, others

By Stanley Onyekwere

Journalists have received encomiums for their contributions to the growth and development of Abuja and the country at large.

According to the FCT, Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, who gave the commendation yesterday, globally, journalists as watch dogs of the society, are veritable tools for nation building.

Adesola spoke during a working visit to the Permanent Secretary by the Executive of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCTA/FCDA Chapel.

He said: “Journalists have played very active roles in the growth and development of Nigeria and many prominent and respected Nigerians were members of NUJ.

‘Consequently, journalists the world over are extremely important in any modern society, not only for purpose of information gathering and dissemination but also veritable tools for nation building as watch dogs of the society.”

The Secretary explained that the Union as an umbrella body of practicing Information Officers and Public Relations Officers have a very important role to play in positively projecting the image of the FCT Administration.

He charged Information Officers in the employ of the FCTA to strive to keep abreast of the latest trends in information dissemination technology as well as the mainstream traditional media.

Adesola who also praised the Union members for their maturity in the way they have conducted themselves so far in the discharge of their assignment, urged the Union to continue to cooperate and partner with the Administration for the growth and development of the Territory.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Chairman of the Chapel, Kalu Emetu told the Permanent Secretary that the purpose of the visit was to officially introduce the Union executive to the administration.

Emetu appealed to the Permanent Secretary to look into the plight of information officers in all the SDAs. He explained that information officers in the various SDAs are constantly marginalized and treated as endangered specie.

The Chairman also canvassed for the establishment of Information and Communications Secretariat. According to him, the take-off of the Secretariat will address many of the challenges confronting Information Officers.

He further appealed to the Permanent Secretary to assist both Public Relations Officers and Information Officers with tailor-made training and retraining to enable them improve their capacity for effective and efficient service delivery.

According to him, FCTA has barrage of capable and very intelligent Information Officers that can make the Administration proud.