The Administrator, Ugwunye/Ezedike Development Area in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chief Joe Anieze has called on the state government to see journalists as development partners whose welfare must be first charge.
Anieze made the call on Friday in Enugu during a solidarity visit to the newly elected Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Sam Udekwe.
The administrator said that the call had become necessary following the life-threatening hazards media practitioners in the country were subjected to on their line of duty.
Anieze, who is also the traditional prime minister, Egede Ancient Kingdom, appealed to the government to ensure that media practitioners in the state were adequately catered for.
He said that it was worrisome that media practitioners had not been accorded their pride of place in the society.
He sympathised with the state council of the NUJ over the recent attack by hoodlums on some newsmen providing coverage for the Feb. 23, 2022 local government election.
“In ideal situations, journalists are provided with insurance cover. This is the type of motivation that will spur them to do more for the society.
Anieze congratulated Udekwe on his emergence as chairman of the NUJ in the state and charged him to run an inclusive administration.
“The NUJ under your watch should partner with the state government to ensure that the welfare of your members are enhanced.
“The state government should also reciprocate by allocating resources in form of monthly subventions to the state council of the NUJ,” Anieze said.
Responding, Udekwe described his emergence as a divine call that would breathe fresh air in the council.
The NUJ chairman said that the council under his watch would ensure that members were given equal and fair opportunities to thrive.
He called on journalists in the state to close ranks with his administration and to be professional in their conduct and reportage in order to attract the goodwill of members of the public.
