Anambra NUJ In Partnership With Angel Network News Holds Security Summit in Anambra State.
Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Anambra state council lead by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD in partnership with Angel Network News (ANN) a foreign based media organization holds congress/security summit.
The event which was held at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, NUJ Secretariat Complex, Awka on Thursday October 5, 2023 had stakeholders in the security sector and top media executives in attendance.
NUJ Chairman Anambra State
NUJ Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD in his speech said the essence of the summit is to discuss on how best to market the image of the state. He emphasize on the need for government to improve its relationship with the media stating that the union under his watch will continue to practice as professionals for the betterment of the society.
Co-host Dr. Ifeanyi Obiefuna PhD, the Managing Director/Editor in Chief, Angel Network News in his remark revealed that ANN is an international media established in 2021, whose head office is in Oakland USA and branch office in Udoka Housing Estate Awka, Anambra State.
Dr. Obiefuna stated that the inspiration behind the initiative arose from lack of robust media voices from South Eastern region and that ANN intends to fill in the gap.
“ANN has constantly over the years reported activities of the Anambra State House of Assembly, including trending news in Anambra and beyond and covers business, sports, health, entertainment, crime and moral tips. www.angelnetworknews.com
Co-speaker Dr. Kelechi Kenneth Osayi PhD of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who spoke on the theme; “Understanding State Image and the Responsiveness in Security Reporting in contemporary Nigeria: Anambra as a Case Study”, maintained that the presence of Journalists and media personalities occupy a very strategic position in society because at the centre of every discussion, is a journalist.
” The ability of a Journalist to promptly respond in reporting/discussing emerging issues (security matters), is central to his calling as a professional.
” The media actually has a significant role to play in making a difference in the area of reporting issues bordering on security in Nigeria. But in the case of Anambra state, it will be helpful to examine the root of the recent security situation dispassionately and remedy it foundationally, otherwise, every other solution will be temporal.
“The current security issues as they exist in Anambra State today have all come under the cloak of armed agitations, not necessarily again for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra, but more for the release of its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The agitation has provided a convenient guise for criminal elements to engage in kidnapping, assassinations, ritual killings and other vices.
“The media should drive, amplify and accentuate the discourse and roundtable to deal objectively with armed agitations and insurgency which is a sine qua non for peace in the region. This will help to neutralize other criminal gangs that deploy the secessionist struggle as a masquerade to exacerbate insecurity situation in Anambra State and indeed the whole of the South East.
“Media advocacy on Security issues needs to be coordinated among all the media organizations in the region and has to be sustained over the necessary period to yield results.
Keynote Speaker Engr. Dr. Emeka Ezeh former President Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) represented by Dr. Nelson Omenugha in his address said that through regular training, programs and workshops healthier relationship with both the security agencies, media and government will be built and that It’s also imperative to establish clear guidelines for security agencies on how to interact with journalists.
Chairman of the occasion, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Olufemi Adeoye in his speech commended NUJ for organizing the summit, describing it as a step in the right direction. He urged the media to be more patriotic and abide by the ethics of the profession. The CP called for more cooperation through presenting the positive image of the state positively.
First Discusant, Federal Road Safty Command (FRSC) Sector Commandant Anambra State, Adeoye Irelewuyi said journalist as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, its role in agenda setting and shaping public perception on every matter as it affects the lives of the people especially with regards to security incidents and the security agencies and state’s responses is very crucial.
Second Discusant, DSS Director Anambra state, ED Powa Enoch in his address said journalist have effective tools and strategies to support crime fighters in the state. He recommended for more collaboration and partnership as security is everybodies business.
Organising Committee Chairman Comrade Kalu Uche Dorothy in her address said the relationship between state image and security reporting is complex and multifaceted especially for a state with peculiar security challenges including kidnapping for ransom, the Monday sit-at-home that has impacted the economy of the East negatively, unknown gunmen menace amongst others.
