By Joseph Edegbo
A Kaduna based Media Strategist and Consultant, Ahmed Maiyaki has enjoined journalists in the country to always keep Government In Check for good governance.
This, he said, will make Government to sit up in the provision of infrastructural development, education, health among others.
Maiyaki was speaking on Friday in Kaduna while donating an internet facility to the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists to make members converge on the Secretariat to send their stories free and with ease.
The Media Strategist also stressed the need for journalists to remain ethically responsible in the discharge of their calling, cautioning them against collaboring with politicians, especially as the nation approaches the 2023 general elections.
“I must tell you that the selling point in journalism is the passion for the job. If you want to collaborate with politicians to make money you are in trouble. We have seen such Journalists in Nigeria with that criminal tendencies, they never lasted in the profession. You may enjoy immediate benefit of such criminality, but I can tell you that at the end you will not survive it” he warned.
He also cautioned them not to be in hurry to Churn out stories that are not factual in order not to harm the public.
The Media Strategist spoke on why he continues to identify with his colleagues, “Whatever thing I have become or whatever I am today, my beginning started from the council. I always look at NUJ as my home, so whatever little thing I have I need to look back at my origin. Giving to NUJ is not enough because NUJ has given much more than we have given to the NUJ”.
Maiyaki was worried that while journalists play the watchdog role of the society, they are left with nobody fighting for them in terms of welfare.
“Every day Journalists play the watchdog role of the society, reporting ASUU strike, reporting about welfare of staff of other organizations, and every other sectors of the society, but there is nobody to fight for the Journalists welfare wise.
Receiving the donation, the Chairman of the council, Hajia Asmau Yawo Halilu, thanked the donor for fulfilling the promise made during the commissioning of some facilities at the NUJ Secretariat.
She expressed delight with the presentation of the internet facility which the council had also been planning to provide for members.
The Chairman said the facility with a coverage of 150 meters could be utilized by 64 persons at a time adding that it has not only saved members from going to Cafe, but their money.
