Adamawa state correspondent of Blueprint Newspapers, Muazu Abari , 12 other journalists and media workers, weekend, bagged correspondents’ chapel awards for their dedication, excellence performance and productivity.
Others who bagged the awards includes Mr.Onimisi Alao of the Nation Newspapers, Mr.Clement Ekong of NOP NIGERIA in the print category, while Mr. Freedom Haslon of Channels television, Mrs.Golfa Friday of Radio Nigeria, Ibrahim Abubakar of LN 24 clinched the award in the television and radio category.
For online medium, Mr.Tom Garba of TG news and Ijeoma Yusuf of Mamorah News also received the award.
Presenting the award to the recipients, Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.Iliya James, represented by the permanent Secretary, appreciated journalists in the state for their commitments and dedication especially in promoting government activities and enlightening the public.
He described them as partners in progress and tasked them on the need for fairness, balance reportage and upholding professionalism and ethics of journalism at all times in the discharged of their constitutional responsibilities.
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Presenting a paper on the topic, “Nigerian journalists and Democracy: Towards a free, fair and credible coverage of 2027 election,” the Dean faculty of communications and media studies, Madibbo Adama University ( MAU) Yola, Prof. Danjuma Gambo drew journalist’s attention on the significance of 2027 election .
He reminded journalists of their responsibilities to safeguard the country democracy and hold leaders accountable, noting that the people are looking up to them for direction, hence the need for them to defend democracy and resist all efforts by politicians to compromised and use their platforms to undermined democracy.
According to him, the 2027 election provides an ample opportunity for them to improve on the gains of 2023 election coverage and strengthen democratic institutions in the country, rather than becoming a willing tools in the hands of moneybags politicians.
He cautioned journalists against joining the current political confusion caused by politicians in the country.
On his part, head of operations Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mohammed Yali, who represented the resident electoral commissioner, tasked journalists on accurate and balance reportage, urging them to always verify their information from right sources before going to press.
