Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere has endorsed and hailed the resolve of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Council to organise a Special Forum to discuss critical issues that boarder on National development.
Prince Madumere expressed this support while receiving in audience a committee on 2015 Special Correspondents Forum led by the Chairman of Correspondents Chapel Athan Agbakwuru of Nigerian Pilot and the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Val Okara when they paid the Deputy Governor a courtesy visit at his official residence.
Speaking to the group, Prince Madumere while hailing the idea averred that Agenda setting is one of the cardinal functions of the members of the fourth estate of the realm. He said bringing people together to chart a course towards contributing in the national development is a right step in the right direction.
He urged journalists to insist on abiding by the ethics of the profession. He told them to be objective in their reporting while admonishing them against being willing tools in the hands of desperate politicians who will stop at nothing in encouraging unethical practises.
He however called for partnership with the Journalists to showcase the activities of the government, saying that people oriented policies of the government can only be better appreciated if the media could use their platform to educate the public on the import of policies and programmes and of government and their supposed benefits.
Prince Madumere who is also a patron ot the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Council thanked the delegation for the honour and respect shown to him by coming to intimate him on their forthcoming programme, which he described as timely and thoughtful.
He therefore pledged to support it by playing his expected role so as to ensure that the event was successful.
Earlier, members of the committee said the programme will feature lectures with the topic, “Diversifying Nation’s Economy : The Role of Agriculture…”
Vice Chancellors of Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Federal University of Agriculture, Umuahia would be Guest lecturers.
Governor Okorocha will be the host Governor while his Abia counterpart, Governor Ikpeazu will be the Special Guests of Honour.