Chiazor Charges NUJ To Take Over Control Of Social Media Operations, Plans Media Excellence Awards For Journalists

Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Media, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, has charged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to take deliberate control of the operation of social media platforms.

The Executive Assistant gave the charge Wednesday in Asaba when he received the leadership of the NUJ, Delta State Council, on a courtesy visit in Asaba.

Comrade Chiazor stressed the imperative for the NUJ to take deliberate steps to “own” the social media platforms and ensure ethical standards and professionalism.

 “This is very important because only the journalist would be able to tell the story in the social media without distorting the facts”, Comrade Chiazor, one-time Chairman of the NUJ Delta Council emphasised.

He noted that dissemination of news information has become imminent and more far reaching with the advent of the social media, adding that only the professionally trained journalist can instil ethical standard in its operations.

“Journalists should own social media for effective communication because it is only then that the ethics of the profession can be brought to bear.

He charged journalists to be in the vanguard of social media practice  to stamp the prevalence of quakery, peddling of falsehood, all in the name citizen journalism.

The Executive Assistant to Governor on Media also urged the NUJ Delta Council to partner the Sheriff Oborevwori administration on its MORE agenda for to the betterment of Delta State.

He recalled the neutral disposition of Governor Oborevwori during the NUJ Delta Council election that produced the Churchill Oyowe leadership and described the governor as the greatest supporter  and motivator of the NUJ, urging the Union to reciprocate by working with the administration to move Delta forward.

He underlined the governor’s passion to deliver dividends of democracy to all Deltans and assured that the NUJ will not be left out.

“Everyone, community and government need a Journalist to amplify their visions, knowing full well the media is the conscience and moral compass of the society”, he noted.

He disclosed his office is making plans to organising training programmes for journalists, beside an endowment for a grand media excellence award for journalists in different categories; which promises handsome material and monetary rewards for distinguished journalists in the state.

Earlier, chairman of the NUJ Delta Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe acknowledged Comrade Chiazor as a quintessential leader and mentor to many journalists.

Oyowe commended the Executive Assistant for the role he played before, during and after the NUJ Delta Council election that produced his executive, ensuring that the council remained on the right path, adding the NUJ Delta SWC reposed implicit confidence in his capacity.

Oyowe said his six months administration has recorded quite some significant achievements, but yet required Comrade Chiazor’s intermittent interventions and support to tackle with teething challenges.

The NUJ Chairman also conveyed the union’s gratitude to the Director of Protocol to the Governor, Olorogun Sunday Onoriode for his invaluable support for the NUJ Delta Council, while thanking Comrades Dennis Otu and Ghene Gbogidi also senior media aides to the governor, for their commitment towards the Union.