Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Sapele Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Nelson Agbajor has said that journalism was a noble profession and as such, his administration was committed to get rid of quacks that are parading themselves as journalists in Sapele.
Agbajor disclosed this in Sapele when he received a team of media practitioners from Asaba, the Delta State capital, who paid him an unscheduled visit at his country home in Sapele Local Government Area as part of the October 1st independence media monitoring.
He, however noted that journalism is a noble profession that commands respect at all levels in the society, but decried the rate at which some individuals parading themselves as media practitioners have done more harm than good to the profession.
The Sapele NUJ Chairman noted that, his administration would not tolerate any quack who in the name of social media blogger spoiling the reputable names of qualified journalists in the area and advised those involved as a matter of urgency to desist from such act or face the dire consequences of the unlawful trade.
Agbajor asserted that “Our system of operation here is strictly on professionalism, journalism is not for quacks and individuals who think that because we are in the era of social media they can spoil the profession and should turn a new leaf.
“I am assuring the good people of Sapele, the political class, our religious bodies and other stakeholders in the Local Government that we will get rid of quacks who are damaging the image of this noble profession.
“In journalism practice, investigative and interpretative reportage are very key in ensuring that whatever story that is going out to the general public should and must be correct so as to avoid misinforming the public.
“I want to use this medium to call on good spirited individuals, organizations and other stakeholders in the area to give the needed support to the Sapele NUJ Chapel aimed at complimenting our efforts in ensuring that the needed and correct information gets to members of the public”.
He thanked his colleagues for finding time to come to Sapele on this special day of Nigeria’s Independence, noting that it was a day set aside for Nigerians to celebrate our nation, now at 63 but it was very unfortunate and sad to note that the system has not really been fair to its citizens.
“You can see what we are even talking about now, the government must rise to its responsibility of redefining our collective existence as a nation and the media has a very key role to play in this regard as a critical stakeholder in the society. Agbajor noted.
Similarly, the Sapele NUJ boss, who led other media practitioners to the scene of the Ugbenu, near Ologbo fire incident along Benin-Sapele Expressway wherein over two hundred persons lost their lives, expressed shock at the level of damage caused by the inferno.
While commiserating with the families of those that lost their loved ones in the incident, Agbajor said” I received the news of the Tanker Inferno with rude shock and I decided to come and see for myself.
“This is really sad and devastating, our prayers are with the families of those who lost their beloved ones in this unfortunate incident.
“It is also important to say that our roads are bad and I call on the government at all levels to as a matter of urgency do the needful so as to prevent any other occurrence again”.
