THE Emir of Dutse in Jigawa State, Dr Hameem Nuhu Sanusi, has expressed concern over the unethical practice of journalism by untrained and inexperienced quacks, saying their activities are denting the prestige of the profession.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Emir made the observation while receiving the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, and members of his Executive Council, who paid him a courtesy call at his palace while in Dutse for the routine quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting hosted by the Jigawa NUJ.
Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Sanusi said it was disheartening that present-day journalism practice had been intruded upon by some unprofessionals who disseminated false, distorted and unbalanced stories that hampered peace and stability in society.
The Emir advised the National President to set up a strong committee to identify the “rotten eggs” in the practice and flush them out to sanitise the respected profession.
He further explained that, as the fourth realm of government in a democratic setting, the NUJ can either make or mar democracy, describing journalism as the bedrock of attaining a sustainable and lasting democracy.
Dr Hameem Nuhu Sanusi said that because of the importance his palace attached to journalism, it appointed a professional veteran journalist as one of the members of the Emirate Council.
Earlier, the National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, said they were at the palace as a mark of respect to the royal father, who had tirelessly continued to support the NUJ both in Jigawa and at the national level, just like his late father.
Comrade Alhassan noted that, as custodians of peace, royal fathers had a vital role to play in guiding the NUJ towards achieving better results.
The President, supported by the host Chairman, Comrade Ismail Ibrahim Dutse, conferred on the Emir the Honorary Award of Jigawa NUJ Patron.
The visiting NUJ National Leadership later inspected some agricultural, educational, road and empowerment projects executed by Governor Namadi’s administration before proceeding into the technical session of the NEC meeting.
As part of the three-day engagements, the National President is also expected to meet members of the Jigawa NUJ Veteran Committee.
