Journalists have been asked to stand rightly as true middlemen between those in authorities and the people.
Rev. Mathew Odoh of the United Evangelical Church Lokoja gave the charge at a church service for Journalists as part of activities to mark the 2024 Kogi NUJ Press Week.
Rev. Odoh likened Journalists to the Biblical Moses, described Journalists as the Moses of the present generation and tasked them to serve as worthy middle men between the Government and the people in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Rev. Odoh tasked Journalists in the country to be diligent and courageous in the discharge of their duties by relating well the activities of government to the people while also listening to the cry of the people towards informing the government of what the people want.
“Journalists are like middlemen. You are like the Biblical Moses. You hear from the people and relate to government about our cries. You are standing between the government and people. Tell us rightly what the government are saying. Also hear from us and tell them what we are saying and what our problems are.
“Presently as citizens, we are hungry. We need light. The cost of electricity tariff is too high. We need jobs for our children. Let me government address issues around the economy and let us have money’s in our pockets. Nigerians are suffering,” the clergyman said.
The clergy man prayed for God to strengthen President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to do what is needful, pointing out that Nigerians are no longer finding cost of living easy.
“There is so much of maladministration. We are not smiling. Let the Government at all levels do what is needful. We beg you as Journalists to tell the Government that Nigerians are not smiling, they need a breath of fresh air.”
Rev. Odoh prayed God to preserve all working Journalists in the country. He described the Journalism profession as one with great risks, however expressed optimism that with professionalism and balanced reportage, the safety of Journalism is guaranteed.
He commended Kogi journalists for their sense of professionalism and unbiased reportage, pointing out that the only way democracy and a better society can thrive is when Journalists operate in an enabling environment.
Earlier, the Secretary, Kogi State NUJ, Comrade Oluwasegun Oyenibi, said the church service, part of the NUJ 2024 Press Week is geared towards thanking God for preservation and seek for his protection for working Journalists in the new calendar Year of the NUJ.
