Members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm have been enjoined to report issues and policies affecting the maritime industry in a manner that is ethical and likely to portray the profession in a positive light.
Speaking on the challenges of the media as a catalyst for development at the inauguration of the Powerful Pen Chapel yesterday, the Lagos State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Dr. Quasim Akinreti, called on Journalists to inform, educate and proffer solutions to the many problems facing the society as custodians of the cultural heritage of the nation.
He advised Journalists to eschew blackmail and intimidation in the course of their interface with the public, urging them to use their power to literate the society from the shackles of ignorance and desolation.
Akinreti congratulated MAJAN and its leadership for thinking outside the box in bringing innovation and perspective to bear in the practice of maritime journalism.
He said that the days of touting and gangsterism in journalism were over, noting that the integrity of the union must be maintained at all times to bring sanity and respect to the association.
On his achievements in office, the Lagos NUJ boss noted that those who had erred in the discharge of their functions have been disciplined, members welfare enhanced while a new manager has been appointed for the Lighthouse.
He said his union was working on engaging in Media Entrepreneur ship at Badagry where a land had been acquired for the union to begin community radio broadcasting.
He disclosed that the NUJ under his watch had embarked on training of Journalists on Migration and Photojournalism to enhance the capacity of practitioners on the field. He said more capacity building courses were on the way for members in the days ahead.
Also speaking at the occasion, the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, urged Journalists to create opportunity for self-improvement, self-sufficiency and sustainable intervention in the media through which society can be salvaged.
He called on the government, as a matter of urgency, to return the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the ports to ensure quality assurance and the wellbeing of all Nigerians. He later donated two hundred thousand naira to the chapel with a promise to continue to support them.
The representative of the Director General of SON, Deputy Director, Engr. Enebi Onucheyo said SON was a trade facilitator offering quality checks on imports and since the AfCTFA was now in operation, more unregulated goods were bound to enter the country and called for a return of SON to the Ports.
In his welcome address, MAJAN President, Ray Ugochukwu said the Powerful Pen was conceived to close the gap between the policy drivers, stakeholders and the people, in an effort to open more channels of communication in the maritime sector.
Powerful Pen Chapel Chairman, Tunde Umar, said the chapel will frown at all forms of mediocrity and unethical journalism while giving priority to capacity building for members.
Source: Maritime Vision