As the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun state council commences the celebration of this year Press Week with Thanksgiving service at the Victory Life Bible Church,Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, the Lead Pastor of the Church, Papa Lawrence Achudume has charged Journalists in Nigeria to always speak up for the masses as it through this that the governed will be able to repose confidence in media and its practitioners. He stressed further that if the government will hear the cry of the people it is through the press.
Achudume, who commended journalists for their sacrifices and roles they have been playing in making the country a better place, implored them to make leaders and those in position of authority to sit up and do the right things.
" It is you journalists that can do it because with you pen and voice on radio and Tv.
" There is honour in your profession in doing the right things, let the world know that you are on course.
" I want to encourage you as your start your week, take the risk of your profession and let there be balance about your reportage."
Achudume while harping on the need for neutrality and independent of journalists in the course of their profession, said if he were to be in government, he would say that no journalist should belong to any political party, as this helps journalists to be more just in reportage.
"Always endeavor to stand up for truth alone, you will find out that Nigeria will change, if it will change, it is you, if Nigeria stops ethnic bigotry, religious bigotry, it is you that will stop it.
"I want to appeal to your as journalist to please speak up against ethnic, religion and tribal divisions". He stated.
Earlier during the morning service, the General Overseer in his sermon spoke about Break forth and the need for every human being to be purposeful and also to be disciplined in their callings.
"There is a purpose attached to your life. before your are conceived he knew you And he puts something in you to make you to succeed.
"Some are good in education and some without education but are good to manage things successful.
He hinted that he had encountered journalist who are natural gifted writers. with natural ability to write and tell stories.
" You can make your name in your calling in life. Journalism Is a calling. They take risk. they know that without them the citizen will be consumed especially by our politicians. People can steal for their past and present
"Break forth in life is not all about accumulation of wealth but contentment. Journalism is a good name. All the great writers in the bible you can call them journalists .
"Locate your purpose, your assignment, pursue it in life. Don't take advantage of the people. Identify where you are planted and you will succeed".
He also enjoined journalists to be in their colony. adding that nigerian journalists with little taste of power lost their vibrancy.
"Stay in your colony, Every journalist should be a voice of the people, voice of common man.
'Nigerian journalists can do this, but moment they taste power,they lost vibrancy to do constructive criticisms until journalist stop praising politicians,at every time, make them accountable.
"Nigerians are highly talented people, government should make provision for worthy enabling environment/ and policies and not this palliative of a thing, it is ephemeral.
He also enjoined journalists to stop speaking evil of the country.
" I am not saying you should not bring out what is untold of. Project integrity don't speak nigeria down as nobody can bring the country forward for us". He concluded.
In his remark, the chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Wale Olanrewaju appreciated Apostle Achudume for his support to the Union which was part of the reason for great achievements within a short period in office.
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