To promote leadership accountability for sustainable economic development, the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has organized “Accountability conference” in Awka, the state capital.

 

The event held at Godwin Ezemo International Press Centre, attracted the presence of government officials and public servants, and featured recognition of NUJ patrons and veterans, as well as award presentation to deserving individuals, including the President General of Urum Development Union, Chief Aloysius Tabansi, and proprietor of Solution Kitchen Nri, Chief Mrs Chinelo Obikwelu.

In his keynote speech on “Leadership accountability and economic growth: the crucial role of media”, Professor Clifford Nwanna; from Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, noted that impunity becomes the order of the day where accountability is not guaranteed, and regretted that most African countries are still held on their knees by corruption, and that Nigerian leaders are yet to see the media as partners in the development of the country.

He said that the media have a lot to do in achieving leadership accountability, and tasked journalists on proper use of Freedom of Information Act and whistle blowing in achieving economic growth, just as he encouraged media owners and wealthy individuals to help in organising similar workshops for media practitioners.

Earlier in his opening remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emeka Onwudinjo, thanked NUJ Anambra for the twin event, saying that all should be targeted in the accountability discourse.

 

In their goodwill messages, the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, Chairman of Anambra State Local Goverment Service Commission, Barrister Vin Ezeaka, and Transition Committee Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area, Barrister Chinedu Ononiba said Nigerians need to join efforts in solving the corruption problem of the country; and not to leave it only in the hands of leaders, adding that in Anambra, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has remained prudent in managing resources of the state.

Award recipients at the event, including Chief Tabansi and Chief Mrs Obikwelu, commended NUJ members for shaping the future of the society through their practices, and assured of continued efforts in touching lives positively, as well as support to activities of the union.

Anambra State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and Chairman of the event planning committee, Ukpa Ewa, who thanked guests that attended the event, assured that the media will continue to provide people with information needed to advance the society.

 

 

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