…As NUJ Pays Visit on Royal Father
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge.
The NUJ delegation led by the State Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe thanked the traditional ruler for the warm reception which he described as overwhelming and unprecedented.
“Asaba, as the state capital, has been a peaceful place since its creation in 1991. It has remained a place that accommodates everybody, a home for all. This is attributed to the good traditional leadership of the Asaba community” he said.
Comrade Oyowe continued: “Asaba is the fastest growing capital city not just in Nigeria but West Africa because of the accommodating nature of its people and I believe that in your reign your majesty, Asaba will further blossom the atmosphere of progress being enjoyed presently by indigenes and non-indigenes.”
Intimating His Majesty on the NUJ Council’s forthcoming Press Week with the theme: “Imperative of Proper Leadership Recruitment Process For Good Governance”, the NUJ chairman requested the Asagba to honour the event as the Royal Father of Day.
Comrade Oyowe stressed the annual weeklong event affords the Union an auspicious platform to take stock of emerging trends and developments in government, governance and society generally, whilst holding leaders at all strata to account on how they have fared over the years.
Responding, the royal father said: “I warmly welcome you to the palace and profusely thank you for the message you came with. I am sure the story will be told on how accessible and how we try to adopt an open door policy to receive visitors and accommodate people generally.
“That is the trend in the palace and the trend in Asaba generally; we are very welcoming, hospitable and highly accommodating. We fly that banner, we proudly do so because we believe that these are the indices that seem to have placed Asaba as the state capital in the pedestal it finds itself today”, HRM Azinge said.
The Asagba continued: “The journalism profession is highly respected and revered and should be a beacon of hope to the masses in nurturing democracy, fighting authoritarian governments and charting the path for the growth and development of Nigeria. “In this era of investigative journalism your profession seems to have been transformed and the dynamism and activism helps to define your role further away from the normal entertainment and educative role it’s known for’’ he added.
While pronouncing royal blessings on the NUJ, HRM Azinge reminded the journalists that Nigerians expect accurate reports and not jaundiced reports and to always do well to ensure the people’s rights are well protected.
