By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has advised the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago led administration against privatization of some state owned media organizations, but suggests that what is needed is proper funding for them to function optimally.
The union stated that information dissemination is not just one of the basic reasons why such facilities are established, but a tool for social services hence privatizing the media organizations will deny the entire citizenry access to informations about the policies and programmes of the administration.
The union's position is contained in a Communique issued at the end of its Congress which took place at the IBB Pen House, Minna and presided over by the Council chairman, Comrade Abu Nmodu and other State Executive Council (SEC) members.
"The union is calling on Governor Umar Bago to jettison plans to privatize state owned media outfits, but rather invest in them to make them functional and attractive for investors to patronize".
The Congress observed that information dissemination is an essential social service that Nigerlites cannot be denied of because both government and the governed needs effective information dissemination and the state government's role in this regard is a necessity.
After exhaustive deliberations on issues affecting members of the Pen profession in the state, the journalists unanimously resolved that poor funding is one of the major problems facing state owned media organizations and privatizing them will not solve the problems.
The members called on the state government to jettison its intentions to privatize the state owned media outfits, but rather invest therein to make them functional and attractive.
The Communique was signed by Umar Borno (Chairman), Akawu Ibrahim (Secretary), the Communique drafting committee respectively, and the Council Secretary, Comrade Usman Chiji. They observed that information dissemination is not only an integral part of any government but essential social service to the people of the state hence the state government's role in this regard is very necessary.
The Congress commended Governor Umar Bago for appointing members of the union in the persons of; Mallam Bologi Ibrahim as Chief Press Secretary; Aisha Wakaso (Special Adviser Print Media), while Hamza Waziri, is the Coordinator Press Affairs office of the Governor's wife, as well as Babangida Usman (Senior Special Assistant on Media). NNL.
