The 2023 Press Week, Media summit and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council Man of The Year Award ceremony has ended with a call on media practitioners to adopt pragmatic approach in practice to effectively contribute to promoting state’s economic policies and agenda.

 

This entails using media tools and platforms responsibly in addressing societal issues and promoting sustainable development.

Speaking at the event , the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, who spoke on “Pragmatic Media practice as an antidote to sustainable development in a distressed economy: A focus on Anambra State”, said that collaborative efforts of the media plays a transformative role in shaping a sustainable future, and can help in ensuring a more prosperous Anambra.

To overcome challenges that can hinder the ability of the media to effectively advocate sustainable development, Barrister Ezeokenwa urged media practitioners to leverage digital skills, embrace citizen journalism and collaborate with stakeholders in order to adapt and overcome limitations imposed by a distressed economy, which includes limited resources, censorship and political pressures.

Also in his remarks, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, represented by the member representing Dunukofia Constituency, Honourable Chuks Azotani, said government and the media should be having cordial working relationship in the interest of the masses, even as he noted that the media should remain objective in their reportage in order to maintain their pride.

 

He assured that the state legislature will identify with NUJ programmes aimed at promoting the peace and progress of Anambra State, as well as welfare of journalists.

Contributing, the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, said aside government, nothing in life subsists without the media, reason he called on practitioners to be more serious with their jobs for the good of the society.

 

Earlier in her opening remark, the Chairman of the event and the first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa, Professor Chinyere Okunna, said the Press Week has offered journalists opportunities to touch lives in special ways, adding that ethics remain the cornerstone of journalism.

Also speaking, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, represented by the Vice President, Southeast, Comrade Emma Ifesinachi, among other things, called on privileged individuals and corporate bodies to institute trust funds to encourage journalists in their job.

 

Anambra State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the event, Dr Njideka Ezeonyejiaku said journalists will continue to diligently serve the interest of the masses while maintaining friendships, adding that the event was designed to remind journalists that they are still the watchdog of the society.

 

The event organised by the Anambra State the Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Obinna Odogwu of Sun Newspapers won the 2023 Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna Prize for Ethical Journalism, while the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharmacist Alex Onyido won the 2023 NUJ man of the year award.

 

 

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