Abuja, Oct 12, 2016 – FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye has debunked allegations that he described the journalism profession as beggarly.
The Permanent Secretary who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Press Week, FCTA/FCDA Chapel of the NUJ had described journalism as a noble profession, which fought for the independence of Nigeria and for the entrenchment of democracy; recalling that the country’s frontline nationalists were mostly journalists.
Dr. Ajakaiye condemned some media proprietors who toil with the remunerations of journalists in their employ and regretted that the non-payment of salaries was turning the honorable profession into a career being seen as beggarly.
The Permanent Secretary therefore enjoined the media proprietors to de-emphasize giving of awards and start taking the welfare of journalists more seriously.
He also urged Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to engage proprietors of media houses in constructive discussions that would bring an end to the delay or non-payment of journalists’ remunerations.
Dr. Ajakaiye wondered why he could have spited the profession to which he proudly belongs; reiterating his deepest regards for the profession. According to him, as an information officer for 32 years he never had any problem with journalists and worked harmoniously with all he encountered in the course of his career.
