President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration will uphold press freedom.
The president, represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, gave the assurance at the fifth Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The theme of conference is “Fostering Safety of Journalists and Building Synergy with Agents of the State.”
He said “transparency and accountability will be our watchword all through. The country looks forward to a body of journalists that would be partners of the government in nation building.”
Buhari advised journalists to conduct free, fair and credible elections as they elect new leaders to pilot the affairs of the union in the next three years.
He said “the country and the whole world are looking forward to witnessing credible elections.”
The president lauded the outgoing president and members of his executive, saying that they performed well.
He urged the incoming leaders to consolidate the good work of the immediate past leaders of the union in order to take it to greater heights.
In his remarks, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, represented by Senator Shehu Sanni, urged the union to conduct credible elections to enable it to move forward.
Saraki commended journalists for making sure that the nation’s democracy worked and called for insurance cover for journalists by employers as well as enhanced salaries to improve their standard of living.
Also, the outgoing President of the union, Malam Muhammed Garba, called for free, fair and credible elections.
Garba expressed delight over his administration’s efforts in resolving the crisis in the 36 state councils of the union except Enugu State.
According to him, the media had contributed immensely to the nation’s democratic process and deserve commendation.
Garba appealed to members of the National Assembly to urgently resolve their differences in the interest of the nation.
Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, commended journalists for their doggedness in the struggle for independence and freeing the country from military dictatorship.
Dogara urged journalists to continue with their job as watchdogs of the society.
He, however, expressed concern over the incessant killing of journalists and non-payments of salaries.
Dogara urged journalists to work with the government in order to move the country forward. He also urged them to ensure balance in their reportage.
Dogara, however, advised journalists to conduct credible elections, saying, “Nigerians are looking forward to you to get it right and come out stronger and more united than ever before.
“After the accurate coverage of the just-concluded general elections, it is now your turn to prove to Nigerians and the whole world that you can get it right,” he said
