CONDUCT CREDIBLE ELECTIONS, DEVELOP THE NOBLE PROFESSION........ IGBUYA Tells NUJ Chair

The Presiding Officer of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya on Friday praised the Chairman and Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),  Delta State Council for setting up a five man Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the union and conduct fresh elections within the stipulated three months of the NUJ Constitution.


The Speaker made this known in Asaba, on Friday.

According to Hon. Igbuya in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, he praised the distinguished members of the Fourth Estate for exhibiting responsibility and constituting a caretaker committee as provided by law to take over the administration and management of the council pending the election of new officers.

Igbuya urged the caretaker committee to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent election.

Known for his steadfast adherence to principles, deep sympathy for the downtrodden and great moral rectitude, the lawmaker urged members of the caretaker committee to identify factors responsible for the botched exercise and proffer solutions towards attaining a credible election based on international standards.

Expressing his hope that the chairman will use his wealth of experience and leadership qualities to bear in the union’s quest to move to a new dawn of possibilities and greater heights, the Presiding Officer of the Delta State House of Assembly urged journalists to devote their energies in creative reporting and analyses.

"Our people must be informed; properly informed, so that they are not tossed to and fro by a few who are actually chasing after their selfish interests. The times call for accuracy, objectivity and circumspection in reporting", he said.

Hon. Igbuya also appealed to them to adhere to professional ethics that are in conformity with international standards.

"Erase quackery from journalism profession", the Speaker counseled.

Noted for his open and honest style of governance, the representative of Sapele Local government council in the State House of Assembly called for cordial relations between government and the media.

Honourable Igbuya urged media practitioners to help the civil society to remain in a state of law and order.

"Governance and development are essentially, processes of information, education and communication. Good governance cannot take place when there is ineffectual or insufficient communication. Lawmakers require information to identify, analyze and prioritize the needs of the constituencies they serve. The activities of the Sixth Assembly and programmes of Honourable Members have to be communicated in a manner which the people understand", the Speaker emphasized.