by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS – The Plateau State Government has condemned those groups of self-acclaimed journalists that lack the rudiments of the training as journalist, thereby doing more harm than good in the practice of the noble profession, with evidence that, actually their reports are not the true picture of what is happening or has happened.
The State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, made the observation, while speaking during the Special Lecture and Find Reusing of 100 million Naira Re-Capitalization of COCIN Newspaper, ‘The Light Bearer,’ which was established 15 years ago, at the COCIN Headquarters Jos, recently.
The governor was represented by Commissioner for Ministry of Information and Communications, Hon. Musa Ashoms, when he challenged the Christian faithful to ensure they tell their stories in their own, so as to avoid being told by second-parties that may be dangerous to the Christians and, by extension, Christianity as a whole.
According to Mutfwang, “This is important, as most of the Christians on the Plateau are COCIN members; but with very handful percentage coming from other denominational Churches as they should avoid allowing different persons to use their advantage medium position to tell their stories on their behalf, especially the new social media.
“If you don’t tell your stories the way you want it to be told, there are a lot of new media out there that are waiting anxiously to cash-on on the opportunity to tell your stories on your behalf the way you will not like it.
“These would be dangerous for the Church to withdraw from telling its own story, especially now the State is greeted with incessant attacks. So, if you cannot tell your story, someone will help you tell the story,” the governor noted.
He described the (Light Bearer) newspaper project as “noble one for those that initiated it. They think deep and it looks as very wise decision; so, it has become a platform for the Church to tell its own story.
“Their stories are not just Episcopal stories; they report other conventional stories like sports, politics and the stories about Plateau State. It’s a perspective we need to have. When you write 3, some sees it as ‘M,’ while others see it as ‘W.’
“So, when you want to write ‘M,’ you write it clearly, so that the alphabet you just write ‘M.’ Basically, that is what Light Bearer is trying to do, it throws more light on issues concerning the Church and the public.
“The Church is an integral part of society. It is not possible to isolate the church from the society; so, the story of the church must be told by the church,” Mutfwang stated.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, commanded the role of the Light Bearer Newspaper in COCIN Church, and urged the invitees to donate generously towards Recapitalization of the newspaper.
Also, Guest Speaker, Prof. Dakas (C.J. Dakas) urged journalists and the Church members to emulate the spiritual dedication of Sister Lucy Karl Kumm, who was a missionary and a journalist at the same time.
According to him, her history shows that she spent her entire life winning souls and caring for the less-privileged, being a missionary and a journalist.
He called on the Church to name one of the Streets (or a Hall) in the COCIN University – that is, Karl Kumm University Vom – in memory of her, as this will serve as an honour to her. The event also witnessed awards given to deserving individuals for their immense contributions to the management of the Newspaper, and those who paid the supreme price.