By Sunday John
Doma (Nasarawa State) -The Andoma of Doma, Ahmadu Aliyu Onawo, has urged journalists to give priority to peace, unity, progress and security of the country in their reportage.
Onawo made the call when officials of the Nasarawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid him a courtesy visit at his palace on Tuesday in Doma Local Government Area of the state.
The Andoma, who is also the Grand-Patron of NUJ in the state, said members of the pen profession must be highly patriotic in their reportage because their stories were capable of making or destroying the country.
He said the role of Journalists in protecting the unity of the country was like that of the security agencies whom were putting their lives on the line to protect the country.
“You should also use your pen to ensure that Nigerians appreciate each other irrespective of their differences so that the country remains one and indivisible.
“Your responsibility is to speak the truth in every situation and educate the people so as to serve as motivation for nation building,” he said.
He explained that he accepted to be the Grand-Patron of NUJ in the state because of the respect he has for the profession.
The Andoma, therefore, promised to always support the union in the state where necessary to assist its newly-elected officials to move it to grater height.
Earlier, Mr Dogo Shammah, the state Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, who is also the immediate past Chairman of the union in the state, expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler for his support over the years.
Shammah said he led the union officials to the palace to introduce them to the Grand-Patron to seek for his royal blessings.
Similarly, the incumbent Chairman of the union, Salihu Alkali, said the union was at the palace to seek for royal blessings and support.
Alkali congratulated the royal father for spending 16 years as the Andoma of Doma and prayed God to continue to guide him in the years ahead. (NAN).
