by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
In a most significant ceremony, Journalist (Mr.) Idibia Gabriel, our Kaduna correspondent, Benue and Borno States Governors along with 15 others have bagged Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) “Press Freedom and Good Governance” Awards 2024.
The award organised by Nigerian NUJ National office, Abuja weekend, was conducted in five categories, including Torch Bearers of Press Freedom, Defends of Press Freedom, Best Investigative Reporter of the year, and Life Time Achievement Awards, respectively.
The fifth category, the “Good Governance” Award, had in its fold the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, his Borno State counterpart, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, amongst other high personalities of note.
Benue Governor, Alia, was honoured with Good Governance Award for his orientation as People’s Governor – putting smiles on faces in his own state, as well as for his humanitarian life style, who is described by many as “inventor, seasoned administrator” and “social reformer.”
On Borno Governor, he was also given Good Governance Award for his “immense record and significant improvement in the quality of lives of people in Borno State,” described as a cradle, who has milk of human kindness flowing naturally in him with honesty and integrity, coupled with people’s centric policies.
Journalist Idibia Gabriel, who has worked in different media organizations with records of detentions by police over his human angles investigative news report, and had also been remanded in prison custody, was recognized under “Torch Breeders of Press Freedom” Awards categories.
In a remark, Dr. Chris Isiguzo-led NUJ, restated that NUJ Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards celebrated the important principles of press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tributes to journalists, who have lost their lives in the line of duties.
“Press freedom is an indispensable pillar in the architecture of democracy anywhere in the world,” he noted, adding that “No democracy thrives without the citizens’ adequate access to transparent and reliable information.”
He said Press Freedom is the cornerstone for the building of fair and impartial institutions, as well as a catalyst in the mobilization of the citizenry to hold their leaders accountable and promote speaking-truth to the power.
According to him, press freedom, therefore, also is a catalyst for good governance, and good governance makes dividends of democracy available to citizens in real terms.
“Press Freedom is the fourth arm of government and recognized as so in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. It is the press that holds government and citizens accountable at different levels. This is why we decided this year to combine the Good Governance Awards together with the Press Freedom awards.
“The nexus between press freedom and good governance is very strong and significant. The governance awards will serve as a veritable barometer for assessing good, promote accountability of elected and appointed public office holders and business leaders.
“Press Freedom, therefore, is catalyst for good governance, and good governance makes dividends of democracy available to citizens in real terms,” he stated.
“Many journalists in Nigeria,” according to him, “have faced harassment, threat, physical injury, imprisonment, and even death in the course of discharging their legitimate duties. It’s the courage and sacrifice of these journalists that we are celebrating by organizing the 2024 NUJ Press Freedom and Good Governance awards.
“Press freedom and good governance also honour media owners, political and public office holders, who have actively supported press freedom and significantly contributed to the development of Niigata,” he said.
The event was greeted by Information Minister and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, as key Speaker, who dwelt extensively on responsibility of the media and freedom of the press as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, as amended.