Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), celebrated the official announced democracy day by President Muhammadu Buhari with public lecture with theme: “Strengthening democracy good Governance and role of the Media” and award presentations . The Union called on the incoming Kaduna State House of Assembly members to as a matter of urgency, pass the Freedom of Information Bill within their first 100 days in office. The chairman of the NUJ Chairman of the Kaduna Council, Comrade Adamu Yusuf expressed this while delivering his welcome address to the Maiden Democracy Day Lecture/Awards held at the Arewa House in Kaduna on Wednesday June 12, 2019. According to Nuj Chairman “I want to use this avenue to call on the 9th Kaduna State House of Assembly to as a matter of urgency pass freedom of information bill into law within their hundred days in office. The bill already passed into the second reading,” he said. He lamented that for decades, NUJ members have suffered different forms of Persecution, Oppression and Incarceration. “Some of our dearest colleagues were brutally killed, like late Dele Giwa and Bagauda Kaltho (of Blessed memory). Some were imprisoned and tortured all in the cause of depending truth and Justice,” he said. Comrade Yusuf said that NUJ hopes that sincerely Wednesday’s Democracy Day June 12 will open-up new frontiers for better elections, free of corruption and other malpractices.“May i use this opportunity on behalf of all members of Nigeria Union of Journalists to welcome our guest to this important gathering. “Today is officially declared as democracy day to commemorate the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. “May 29 was initially the official democracy day in Nigeria, marking when the newly elected Olusegun Obasanjo took over as the President of Nigeria in 1999, ending multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966 and had been interrupted only by a brief period of democracy from 1979 to 1983. “On June 6, 2018, eight days after May, 29, 2018 had been celebrated as democracy day; the President Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria declared June 12, to be the new Democracy Day. “This was done to commemorate the democratic election of MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993, in what has been adjudged to be Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections ever. It was, however, cancelled by Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida administration. “At NUJ-Kaduna and the National body, the declaration of June 12 as democracy day is a wonderful things that ever happen to democracy in Nigeria. It’s a unique day in the history of our noble profession despite all odds journalists play important roles for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria and the successful declaration of June 12 by the Federal Government. “Indeed, NUJ is about Truth and Standing by it, no matter whose ox is gored. Our great Father and Doyen of Northern Journalism Late Alhaji Abubakar Imam, the pioneer Editor of GASKIYA-TA-FI KWABO Newspaper said Always speak and write what is True and factual, No matter the consequences!” “By our training, Journalists, are the Overseers of truth and justice, we are expected to adhere strictly to the principles of equality, brotherhood, national interest, global peace and objective reportage, even against our erring members. Especially the quacks amongst us, who embrace ‘Yellow’ and ‘Junk Journalism’. ” Indeed, that is why we have Ethics and Disciplinary Committee. We fight oppression, even within ourselves; nobody is above justice of our PEN and INK,” he said. He saluted the special guests, media executives for accepting their invitation on a very short notice. “For specific mention, we commend our esteemed stakeholders and awardees for accepting the honor. We salute the courage and professionalism of our members who remained a formidable force and guide for all our efforts,” he said.The Union also presented awards of excellence to three eminent personalities as part of activities to mark the June 12 Democracy Day.Chairman,/CEO Pinnacles Communications, Sir Lucky Omoluwa, CEO of Enviplan International, Engineer Musa Nimrod and Founder Deservation.org, Dr. Sani Adamu were honoured for their contributions to democracy and good governance.
Sir Lucky Omoluwa was awarded Icon of Broadcast Media Development in Nigeria, prominently for his role in connecting millions of grassroots viewers to digital satellite television among other feats.
Chairman of Pinnacle Communications, Sir Lucky Omoluwa, represented by his Media Consultant, Alhaji Babatunde receiving Icon of Broadcast Media Development in Nigeria Award from Chairman of the occasion, CEO of Dialogue Group, , Mahdi Shehu, at the Maiden NUJ Kaduna Democracy Day Lecture/Awards held at the Arewa House in Kaduna.
Engineer Musa Nimrod, bagged the Icon Of Youth Empowerment Award for his tremendous contributions to uplifting the standards of youths economically and through sports in the country.
Musa Nimrod receiving Icon Of Youth Empowerment Award from Chairman of the occasion, CEO of Dialogue Group, , Mahdi Shehu, at the Maiden NUJ Kaduna Democracy Day Lecture/Awards held at the Arewa House in Kaduna on Wednesday June 12, 2019.
Dr. Sani Adamu, was awarded in recognition of his contributions to democracy through effective mobilisation of youth to actively participate in politics. He was presented with the Young Democratic Icon Award.
In an interview after the presentation, Engineer Nimrod said he WS grateful to NUJ for identifying him for the prestigious award.
“I am happy that the little we do for society is been recognised. The fact remains that if we don’t impact positively on the youth, when we are old and rely on walking stick to walk, who would help us? It us still the same youth of today that we have empowered.
Sir Omoluwa, who was unavoidably absent, was represented by his Media Consultant, Alhaji Babatunde.
The event was supported by Nigerian Breweries PLC.