The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, has charged stakeholders on democratic processes to entrench viable and smooth electoral processes to enhance good governance in Nigeria.
Alhaji Adeiza Momojimoh, Chairman of the council, called a press conference preceding the 2021 Press Week at the NUJ Press Centre on Monday in Lokoja.
Momojimoh described good governance as a product or by-product of a good election, saying: “When the election is not well conducted, you can’t expect to have anything coming out of it to be desirable.
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“Possibly, one of the very reasons why we are still battling with the issue of bad governance is that we have not been able to get our electoral system right.
“That’s why we believe that the process of evolving or bringing about another leadership in Nigeria should be holistic and be given serious commitment so that at the end of the day, whatever comes out of it would be desirable.”
The NUJ Council chairman commended the efforts of the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act and urged all Nigerians to accord it support.
“It may interest us in knowing that as a body, we had already chosen to talk on the topic: ‘Electoral Act and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy’ as the theme for the 2021 Press Week before the bill was even considered and passed in the National Assembly.
“This is because of the importance journalists in the state attached to the concept of democracy, good governance and the general well-being of Nigerians,” MomohJimoh said.
According to the chairman, Sen. Kabir Gaya, Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, will give the keynote address at the occasion, while Prof. John Alabi of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, will be lead paper presenter.
He expressed optimism that deliberation on the theme would go a long way in providing meaningful solutions to the myriad of problems besetting the course of social, economic and political development of Nigeria, among other benefits.
He said, Hon. Leke Abejide, representing Yagba Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, would chair the event, adding that five persons who had positively impacted society at various levels had been slated for awards.
He said Gaya would be given an award as Icon of Democracy; Abejide, Icon of Grassroots Education and the state Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Ohere would be honoured for his impact on the infrastructural development of Kogi state, among other awardees.
Adeiza called on the state government to implement the weigh-in allowance for the members of staff of its media houses to boost their productivity and morale. (NAN)
