Maduako Igbokwe I Thursday, August 03, 2023
AWKA, Anambra, Nigeria – Deputy Vice Chancellor ( Academic) , Paul University, Awka Anambra State Prof (Mrs) Stella Okunna has described the media as engine room of democracy.
She stated this at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Chapter ‘NUJ 2023 Award’ held at its secretariat, during the award conferment ceremony of Superintendent of Police Mr Chimdebele Nkemsinachi and chairman ,Unizik Alumni Association, Engineer Emeka Nwafor.
Okunna who was the former Dean,Faulty sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said journalism is fearless a job,that any person with bias cannot practice .
“Our job is watchdog. It is frightful and dangerous. Media is the purview of democracy” she said.
She said that without media there is no democracy any where in the world.
Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU Unizik and the chairman of the occasion Prof Ubaoji Kingsley,said that any journalist who cannot say the truth is not worthy to practice.
” If you are a journalist and you cannot report the truth,you are not worthy to be a journalist. Your job is to tell the government the truth at all times.
The job has alot of challenges and despite the challenges, you have the right to speak the truth at all times” he said.
According to him, a journalist has sacred function to say the truth at all times for the good of the society.
Speaking also,the chairman of Anambra State of NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu said the award was for service to humanity and not monetary gain.
“The award is for service to humanity and not for money. Every award is not about money. There are other people that need to be honoured, there are some road traffic controllers who do work with their hearts,they will soon be recognized” he said.
He said anybody who tries to play down on journalists will have himself to blame.
