The Bauchi State Government says it will rehabilitate the state’s secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to upgrade its standard.
Gov. Bala Mohammed made this known when Umar Said, the newly elected Chairman of the council paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Bauchi.
Mohammed said that the state government would reconstruct the edifice to create enabling environment for members of the union to practice effectively and enhance its operations.
He said that his administration would provide laptops, sound recorders and other relevant working tools to ease operational activities and boost the capacity of journalists operating in the state.
The governor who described journalism as a noble profession, said he was pride to be journalist who practiced with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Democrat Newspaper.
Mohammed recalled that during his tenure as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he allocated plot of land to the NUJ as well as vehicles to Bauchi and FCT councils of the union.
“Journalists are lampoon, criticise and condemn in the course of discharging their constitutional duties.
“Efforts to digitise the state owned radio and television stations are in progress to enable them face the contemporary challenges in the communication world.
“We are committed and determined to provide enabling working space for journalists. I hold journalism with high regards being a member of the profession,” he said.
Mohammed lamented the non payment of salaries and poor welfare package for journalists in the country, stressing that “we must strive to reposition the profession.”
While commending journalists for their commitment and dedication, Mohammed tasked the union to initiate modalities to honour best performing journalists of the year in the state.
“We will recognise and reward exceptional performances.”
In a remark, Said commended the governor for hosting the 2020 Northeast Zonal meeting of the union in the state.
Said called for the implementation of weigh-in allowances for workers in the state owned media organisations.
He lauded the governor for the appointment of members of the union as his Chief of Staff and two others as local government council chairmen.
“We commend the governor for the execution of viable projects to fast track sustainable social and economic development of the state.
“We are grateful for your magnanimity of providing COVID-19 palliative to journalists,” he said .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Mohammed had donated an operational vehicle to the Council Chairman.
NAN also reports that election into the Bauchi State council of the NUJ was conducted in June 2020.
