Kogi state government has challenged journalists in Nigeria to rise up to the cause of safety in the country by embracing professionalism at all times.
Deputy Governor of Kogi State, David Onaja was speaking on the sidelines of the maiden workshop of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ), that held in Lagos recently.
The two- day workshop focused on Investigative and Solutions Journalism, was well attended by stakeholders in the media, corporate environment, government agencies and legal representatives, who addressed and lectured participants in their respective areas of expertise.
Addressing the gathering, Onaja worried that insecurity has become a perennial problem that seems to be gathering strength by the day, despite the efforts put in by the law enforcement agencies.
Pointing out that journalism was the only option left to tackle the menace, he urged journalists to do more than they are doing now to tackle the menace .
He said, ” Insecurity has become a recurring deficit in the country, it has always been a major drawback for successive governments which seems to be getting worse. As a result of this too, many regions are threatening secession which would rather aggravate present issues.
“At this juncture, journalists need to come to the scene being the only weapon left to arrest the scourge. I want to charge journalists to critically look at the issue and conduct deep investigation into why Nigeria has not been able to surmount the challenge of insecurity while also preferring solutions”.
On the part of government, Onaja advised state governors to do more than delegating the role of a Chief Security officer but also to take up the role of a Chief Security Officer,just like Kogi State Governor did.
Earlier, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa urged journalists to rise to their traditional role of surveying the environment in a bid to unravel shady engagement and corrupt activities.
Bawa who was represented by Deputy Head of Lagos Zonal Office, Emeka Okonjo, assured of the agency’s readiness to partner with the guild with regards to sensitisation and reportage of ongoing trial.
In his remarks, President of NGIJ, Ayoyemi Mojoyinola reiterated the objectives of the guild, as he stated that the workshop was put together to further the realisation of the guild’s objectives in promoting good governance, accountability and transparency in the country.