Ndace Urges Students-Journalists to ensure Professionalism
Students-Journalists have been charged to adhere to professionalism and ethical objectivity as they are about to begin practicing a distinguished and noble profession that is considered a major force in human and community development as well as a tool for harmonizing and promoting peaceful co-existence.
The call was made by the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Niger State, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace on Tuesday, when he received the Executive members of Mass Communication Students Association, MACOSA, of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai who paid him a courtesy visit at the Press Gallery in Government House, Minna.
The governor's spokesman noted that, the media is to provide citizens with balanced, accurate, objective and reliable information to enable them participate in governing the state. Ndace added that, the Media has a great influence on society, thereby, Journalists and Media practitioners should at all times get their facts via through verification before dissemination while admonishing them to be brave, polite and not to compromise while discharging their duties.
Charging his guests, Ndace said, “Congratulations for a dream come true as Mass Communication graduates, it is on that note that I am using this medium to enjoin you all to strictly uphold the ethics and sense of responsibility that is Journalism and Media profession”. He then added that “if you are going into Journalism to make money, I strongly advise you to relinquish and switch to another profession. As products of our University, I want to use this opportunity to enjoin you all to be good ambassadors of the institution, your families, Niger State and Nigeria at large”.
On Education, the CPS reiterated Governor Abubakar Sani Bello's resolved towards revamping the sector from primary to tertiary level to enable Nigerlites access quality education which he acknowledged as a fundamental right. He then noted that, six Secondary Schools, two from each geo-political zone are being upgraded to UNESCO Standard.
He also reaffirmed the governor's determination to enhance Teachers' welfare and professional capacity through a collaborative efforts with Cambridge University.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant Media to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Mr. Jide Orintunsin, a seasoned Journalist and mentor, advised the students to remain committed and focused as there is no other way to success if not through hard-work and sacrifice. He added that, in whatever circumstances they find themselves, standing on the side of truth should be their refuge while reminding them of the dynamism and misery of life which he described as “Not a Straight Road”.