By Amuche Agbo, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Monday, seeked the synergy between journalists and the law enforcement agencies in discharging their professional duties and also condemned the molestations and harassment of its members in the State.
The Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Samson Nwafor stated this while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital.
Nwafor who called on security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence among themselves while carrying out their responsibilities in the state, noted that this year’s press week was tagged “Time to Deepen Media Involvement in Nigeria’s Democracy, and however, urged individuals, especially the security agencies to see Journalists as their friends and desist from victimizing them while discharging their legitimate duties.
Hear him “Security agents should know that Journalists like other citizens of Nigeria deserve protection not molestation from them.
“We urge that internal mechanism for disciplining in NUJ be explored whenever any journalist is found wanting.”
Speaking further, Nwafor extolled Ebonyi State Governor Engr. David Umahi for the prevailing friendly relationship with the journalists in Ebonyi and assured his administration of their commitment to ensuring accurate and balance reportage to boost the development of the state.
He enjoined political actors in the state to conduct themselves peacefully to achieve violent free elections in the State in the 2023 forthcoming elections.
The Chairman equally cautioned the youth against violence while calling on the people of the state to be active participants in the forthcoming elections by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to enable them to vote for the candidates of their choice at the polls.
He added “As the preparations for the 2023 General Elections gather momentum, we call on the political actors in Ebonyi State to play by the rules, and shun actions that are capable of jeopardizing the relative peace existing in the state.
“We also call on the youth to shun thuggery and violence, as doing so, constitutes grave consequences to the future of Nigeria.”
He maintained the press week was organised on the strength of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Ebonyi, a body of Journalists of both print and electronic media, whose head offices are outside the state.
He also maintained that the program featured press briefing, road walk, visiting motherless babies’ homes, an inspection of projects among others.
