The Governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku has expressed mixed feelings in his relationship with the members of the Correspondent’s Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Taraba State.
Dairus who bared his mind while hosting the members of the Chapel to a dinner at the Presidential Lodge Jalingo said he loves journalism and journalists but only when it is practiced the way it should be but does not want journalism that is for sale that is blackmail.
He also admired Aman Paul, who is CNN Correspondent. When she interviews President, one would like to listen to her because of the aura, glamour depicting the importance of Journalism and when she covers wars you see her life flying trying to take cover showing the risks Journalists are taking and the dignity in the profession while doing the work according to the rules but if you blackmail and use Journalism for sale your live span will be very short.
Gov. Ishaku noted that Journalism is not always going against the government, today you scandalise the Governor, tomorrow Commissioner, next tomorrow file a fake report praising the same Governor the following day you come with another scandal it is not journalism but trading with the job and is what I cant not accept it’s not needed.
“I don’t mind if you people criticise me as a matter of fact I enjoy criticisms if it is geneuly done we are actually partners in progress but we will only work together when you work according to the rules of the game but when students carry tyres burnt new brand dual carriage way and destroyed the new tarred road as Journalists it is your duty to take their photos and possibly get their names and write that such people should be arrested by the police you see me and you using the road but rather you like the glamour of the students demonstration while their lecturers have not taught for eight months but insisting that they must be paid and Journalists didn’t cover it”.
“All these jobs we are doing for the public are collaborative if you criticise me genuily I use the information and fire myself, improve myself and my people that is a plus for me when my people get improved what I am saying we all need to be in the same train going to the same destination our people, the public the greater majority of the public Will be the beneficiaries”.
Gov. Ishaku however appreciated one of the report of a member of the Correspondent’s Chapel on delipidated boreholes in Gassol Local Government where women and children trek long distance to fetch water which helped him emmensely in investigating, reactivating tm and constructing new ones which made the people of the area happy and that’s Journalism but when you say that DDI took the highest loan and did not do anything with it blablabla while Arise TV which serialized the loans that the various Governments took Taraba State was the least it is not Journalism.
He said it is likely this might be the last time he would be addressing the press as a Governor and whoever that is coming as the next Governor the press should cooperate with him because whoever that is in the saddle knows that the press is helping him in his work and promised to settle all outstanding advert payments due to some members of the Correspondent’s Chapel before the end of this month.
Earlier, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Taraba State Council David Nyah who is also the Acting General Manager of the Taraba State Broadcasting Service TSBS Jalingo appreciated the Governor for hosting the dinner which is a clear indication of his love to Journalists in the State and for uplifting him to the position of an Acting General Manager.
Gabiel Yough, Chairman of the Correspondent’s Chapel of the NUJ in Taraba State also appreciated the Governor for the dinner and enumerated Myriads of challenges facing the members the Chapel which the Governor promised to look into them before leaving office.
