Olanrewaju Lawal,Birnin-Kebbi
The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Kebbi State, have resolved to boycott the coverage of state government’s activities over non- appointment of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for three years since the assumption of office of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
There resolutions was contained, in a statement, signed by the Secretary of the chapel, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, and made available in Birnin-Kebbi, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, “We have been facing difficulties in our professional work since the inception of this administration owing to the absence of Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for three years.
” The adverse effects of the non- appointment of such a person could be felt when we need responses and balances of our stories for public consumption and discharge of our constitutional right,” the statement said.
The statement made reference to the first appointment done by President Muhammadu Buhari, which was the appointment of substantive media team and adviser.
It continued, “We have no any link with the government hence we find it very difficult to access the needed information we need that should be free for us
“The state government has Special Adviser on New Media (Social Media). Why there is non for conventional media?” it queried.
The statement recalled the roles played by journalists in the state both nationally and internationally.
“If not because of the working journalists who will know the role Governor Atiku Bagudu has played in Agricultural Revolution in the country.
“Nationally, we are mindful of many Federal Government functionaries that came to Kebbi, hailed and commended the governor on his efforts to make the country food sufficient and secured ; they all made the commendation based on what the working journalists have been doing in portraying the good image of the state and government,” it said.
The statement also called on the public to bear with the journalists as other activities would be covered for public consumption as usual.