… as Odogwu, Onyido shine at grand finale of 2023 Anambra NUJ Press Week
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, has tasked media practitioners on the need to adopt pragmatic approach in journalism practice.
This, according to him, entails responsible use of media tools and platforms in addressing societal issues and promoting sustainable development.
Speaking at the 2023 Press Week, Media summit and Anambra NUJ Man of The Year Award ceremony organised by the Anambra State Council of the NUJ, Barr Okenwa said pragmatic approach in media practice will help effectively contribute in promoting state’s economic policies and agenda.
The APGA National Chairman who spoke on “Pragmatic Media practice as an antidote to sustainable development in a distressed economy: A focus on Anambra State”, maintained that collaborative efforts of the media plays a transformative role in shaping a sustainable future, and can help in ensuring a more prosperous Anambra.
Barrister Ezeokenwa urged media practitioners to leverage digital skills, embrace citizen journalism and collaborate with stakeholders in order to adapt and overcome limitations imposed by a distressed economy, which includes limited resources, censorship and political pressures.
This, he said, would help overcome challenges that can hinder the ability of the media to effectively advocate sustainable development.
Contributing, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, represented by the member representing Dunukofia Constituency, Honourable Chuks Azotani, said government and the media should be having cordial working relationship in the interest of the masses, adding that the media should remain objective in their reportage in order to maintain their pride.
He assured that the state legislature will identify with NUJ programmes aimed at promoting the peace and progress of Anambra State, as well as welfare of journalists.
On his part, the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, called on media practitioners to be more serious in their jobs for the good of the society, noting that nothing in life subsists without the media.
The Chairman of the event and the first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-saharan Africa, Chinyere Okunna, had in her opening remarks said the Press Week offered journalists opportunities to touch lives in special ways, adding that ethics remains the cornerstone of journalism.
Anambra State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the event, Dr Njideka Ezeonyejiaku said journalists will continue to diligently serve the interest of the masses while maintaining friendships, adding that the event was designed to remind journalists that they are still the watchdog of the society.
At the event organised by the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Obinna Odogwu of Daily Sun won the 2023 Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna Prize for Ethical Journalism, while the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharmacist Alex Onyido won the 2023 NUJ the man of the year award.
Reacting, Mr Odogwu said the award would spur him to do more for the good of the society.
Earlier, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, represented by the Vice President, Southeast, Comrade Emma Ifesinachi, called on the political class and corporate organizations to ensure they engage professional journalists to man their media outfits, saying that Anambra has a crop of trained and professional journalists.
He equally called for institution of trust funds to encourage journalists in their job.
