Journalists have been identified as critical partners in nation building, hence the need for professionalism and balance reportage.
Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole, Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly stated this at the Grand Finale of the 2020 Kogi State NUJ press week, said the information pushed out by the media can go a long way to either promote or mar the development of the state, call for caution in the discharge of there professional duties.
The Speaker said the media is termed as the 4th pillar of Democracy, hence as practitioners, urged them to have a definite role to play in developing Kogi State/ Nigeria as country.
He said the current administration in the state under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello has achieved so much in the areas of security, health, Education, transperancy in governance, reason he said made the State score hundred percent in the latest report released by office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
He said a responsible, valued loaded, enlightened and fearless media can play decisive role in educating the public and uplifting the spirit of the nation, urged the media to be fair and objectives in discharging there duties.
The Speaker urged the media to uphold there decisive role of serving as Pathfinders and as watchdogs during the freedom struggle, said such selfless roles cannot be forgotten easily.
Today amidst the overall challenges facing the nation, the Speaker uged urged to uphold the value system in the society, says the time for the media to serve as role model has become very more important.
He advocated for media education to play vital role by forging socially responsible, enlightened and committed professionals and academicians to a great extent.
The Speaker appreciated the award gesture as the ” Icon of Quality Representation, thanked the NUJ for finding him worthy to be honored.
He said the 7th Assembly under his leadership has passed many developmental related bills into law and will continue to partner with the Union and other relevant stakeholders in making laws that will promote good governance in the State.