By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The media in Anambra State have been urged to support governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration effort to build a green, clean, sustainable and liveable State by frequently engaging on investigative journalism.
Some stakeholders in Anambra State gave the charge at accountability and watchdog conference organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council under the theme “Investigative Journalism, Leadership Accountability and Leadership for Sustainable Development”.
According to them, investigative journalism would also help the government officials to sit up, while make rooms for more transparency, accountability and good governance.
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, challenged journalists to use investigative journalism to unravel the causes of erosion and flooding wreaking havoc across Anambra.
“As we speak, there are almost 160 of over 180 communities are faced by various degrees of erosion. Flooding is also wreaking havocs in various parts of the state. Anambra is shrinking and we need to do something deliberate to save our state”.
“As journalists, help us to delve into the root causes of flooding and erosion in the state. We will also need you to use investigative journalism to foster awareness and participation in the efforts being made by government to address the problem.
Contributing, Barr. Mrs Helen Obi, who was a discussant at the programme, charged journalists to use their platforms to champion women inclusion and empowerment, while discouraging gender based violence in the society.
On her part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, explained that Soludo's administration would never relent in providing safe and friendly environment for the journalists, business executives and others to thrive.
According to Nnake, the government had executed many projects that have direct bearing on the welfare and well-being of the citizens, including running Open Governance that started since 2017 and would continue.
“If you need information, come to us. We shall oblige you. We are doing all we can to establish a culture of transparency and accountability as a government. I will like to see journalists in the state seeing themselves as critical partners in progress to the government," she noted.
In a keynote address, Dr Emma Ude-Ekpeh, maintained that the media as a fourth estate of the realm must fully deploy its investigative prowess as a tool to ensure that people entrusted with governmental responsibilities of delivering good governance in various sectors of the economy must do so with a sense of patriotism.
While recalling the challenges facing journalism practice in Nigeria, Ude-Akpeh advised journalists to take precautions and embrace collaborative work to minimize the challenges and protect the well-being of investigative reporters.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, Dr Emeka Odogwu, charged journalists to continue to serve as the moral compass of the society by spotlighting various types of corruption which has characterized governmental activities and operations in the country. “When we lose the ability to make governments transparent and hold them accountable, we have lost our very essence," he stated.
In an address of welcome, the chairperson, NUJ Accountability and Watch-dog Committee, Ukpa Ewa Eke, opined that investigative journalism plays a crucial watchdog role that promotes accountability as a counterbalancing power.
“Without media, citizens would have neither access to information nor a vehicle through which they can advocate for their concerns. Given their special role of monitoring government and industry, Journalists sometimes rely on anonymous sources: people who have sensitive information and are willing to share it with the press.
It is important that they can do so safely.
The traditional ruler of Olumbanasa, Anambra West LGA, Igwe Pius Ojonile Omachonu, challenged journalists to work more on revealing corruption, which has grounded the country and bastardized its economy. “Nigeria is not making progress: journalists find out. Join the fight to give Nigeria and Africa their own narratives”.
Others who took to educate journalists on various innovation and activities that would help me excel in their profession, included the Bank of Industry representative, Mr Chibuzo A. Oji; Anambra State Security Trust Fund, Mr Chidi Anyaegbu represented by the executive secretary of the Fund, Daniel Oforneme; the MD/CEO of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra ( Ocha Brigade), Comrade Celestine Anere; Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Mr Chike Anyaonu; and Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Pauly Onyeka; the Chairman of Housing Development Coorporation; and Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO).