The Day Madumere Advised Journalists On Professionalism

His aura of humility and peace created an atmosphere of freedom and peace at the bush bar where the thatched roof in agreement maintained a cooling effect even when the sun lets out its scotching light. Every a journalist did not have to pretend to be orthodox in their approach while meeting with the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere. Rather than adopting Max Weber’s too serious a robotic approach, the atmosphere was devoid of any atom of tension since it was a Human Relation approach. Everyone added a voice respectfully and freely too.

The meeting with the Deputy Governor was scheduled for 9 am on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at his official residence in Owerri but was delayed for about two hour for obvious reason, which was appreciated by the Deputy Governor’s guests.

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere who came to the preferred venue for the meeting owing to the large number of the news hounds, apologized and calmly explained to them what held him beyond the stipulated time.

Athan Agbakwuru who represents the National Pilot Newspaper spoke for the Correspondent Chapel as the Chairman. He felicitated with Prince Madumere with his boss Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha for their deserved resounding victory during the last gubernatorial elections.

He urged Prince Madumere to partner with the Journalists so as to publicize the activities of the government especially in the area of policies, programmes and its impact to the citizenry.

In addition, he sought Deputy Governor’s support towards realizing the plan of the Chapel to establish its own newsroom. He said the move was necessary so as to solve the problem of time wasting and risk to life in the course of getting a suitable cyber café with the requisite gadgets to file stories to their different offices.

While concluding his remark, he appealed to American trained technocrat turned politician to come to their aide towards settling their office rent. He lamented over the would-be-consequences of losing their secretariat. He therefore urged the Deputy Governor to help out in whatever meaning way, promising they will remain grateful for his ever willingness to help.

Addressing the State Correspondents of various National Newspapers and their local counterparts, Prince Madumere reminded them of his position as the Patron of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Chapter, which he became many years ago before venturing into politics.

He commended some of them he described as the real professionals who never comprised in their reportage during the last general elections. He reminded the media practitioners their strategic role in National development thereby urging them to eschew those acts that runs contrary to their code of conduct.

In addition, Prince Madumere raised the vex issue of balancing reports, which he said is in lack in most reports. His words; “as your Patron, I will not go contrary to the rules of the noble profession of Journalism. But at the same time, I will not pretend when I see things go wrong. I have read some of the stories where personalities are demonized in the media and yet their own side of the story is hardly heard. I will urge you to advise yourselves on this.”

The Imo number two citizen also decried the dearth of investigative Journalism. He urged his guests not to always rely on hearsay. He urged them to find ways to investigate the matters that are at their disposal before rushing to the Press. He called for a rejuvenation of the ethics and ethos of the practice of Journalism expressing fear of destructive effect on Nigerian project if not checked. He therefore suggested training and re-training of those in the profession.

The highpoint of the meeting was the donation of two Laptops and two IPad tablets for the kick-off of the said newsroom for the Chapel. He also promised to take their case to the Governor, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha saying that Rescue Mission Government is one indivisible establishment.

Uche Onwuchekwa
Office of the Deputy Governor