The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on women journalists in the region to reawaken the consciousness of the society and uphold the ethics of the profession.
The new Chairperson of NDDC Board, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, made the call when members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Rivers State paid a courtesy call on the commission at the Eastern Bypass head office in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Onochie, who was the immediate past Senior Special Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed joy in hosting the female journalists, having been a member of the association in the past.
The NDDC boss said this in response to the request by the Chairperson of the Rivers State chapter of NAWOJ, Mrs. Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, on the need for NDDC to partner with women to promote the development of the region while highlighting the challenges of women in the region.
Onochie said the board has set up a committee to look into the Private Partnership (PP) framework in developing the region.
“The report of the committee on PP has not been submitted to the board, so, once we get the report, we would respond to your request, and know how far we can collaborate with you,” she assured.
The NDDC chairperson said, “But as women and women journalists, your primary duty is still the conscience of our region. You must learn to report issues exactly as it has happened, irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“You must look at things dispassionately, it doesn’t matter if you are sympathetic to APC or PDP. Everything is not about politics but sad enough, I have come to see that Journalism in Nigeria has become a thing of interest rather than being the conscience and soul of the nation.
“You are the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Where the Executive of the Federal Government does wrong, where the National Assembly fails, you correct them to make the relevant laws. Where the Judiciary fails to uphold our laws, it is the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Journalists, that will stand for the people and stand dispassionately for the people of Nigeria, irrespective of your political leanings.
“Politics should not come into Journalism. You should be free, you should report freely, fairly and you should report Justice.
“That is how our leaders will know the truth, and as the holy book says, you know the truth and the truth shall set you free. If we continue making everything based on our leader is APC or PDP, that is where it becomes huge problem for our nation.
“You have to remember that there are more people in Nigeria who do not belong to a political party than those who belong to a political party.
“So, your reportage should be for the welfare, wellbeing and justice in the nation as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. That is your principal role, and I would like to seek your support in that regard.
“Support us to showcase what we do here to the world, irrespective of how ever you look at us. We are not asking for any special favours. We are just asking that you report correctly, because that has become the bane of our society.
“Journalists are not reporting the correct things, just report what happened, no embellishing because if in the end, you report unjustly and it leads to chaos, it leads to wars, its our women and children that will suffer more.
“So, I want to thank you for coming here to offer your hand of friendship to the commission. We accept your hands of friendship. I say we will collaborate with you, and we will work together for betterment of Niger Delta. Thank you and God bless you.”