L to R, NUJ Vice Chairman, CRS Council, Sunday Inah, NAWOJ Chairman, CRS, Mrs. Rekpene Uket; National President NAWOJ, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim; National President NUJ,, Hassan Yahaya; NUJ Chairman CRS, Comrade Archibong Bassey; NUJ Vice President Zone F, Mr. Dokubo Opaka; Chairman Award Planning Committee, Comrade Anietie Akpan and Award Committee member, Comrade Reginald Ernest at the airport reception on Friday.
By Anietie Akpan
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Hassan Yahaya, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, and NUJ Vice President Zone F, Mr. Dokubo Opaka have stormed Calabar, Cross River State Friday, September 19, ahead of the 5th Edition of the Beatrice Bassey Ita Best Investigative Journalist Award scheduled to hold tomorrow.
The Award was instituted by the late media icon, late Mrs Beatrice Bassey Ita, otherwise known as “The Pen is Moghtier than the Sword”, in the seventies to celebrates outstanding journalists who demonstrate courage, diligence and integrity in investigative journalism.
To date her amiable daughter, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has sustained the award.
Speaking on Friday at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, the NUJ President Hassan Yahaya said their presence was to honour the invitation of Senator Ita-Giwa and to celebrate journalists who have distinguished themselves in investigative reporting.
“We are here on the invitation of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, first to assure her that we are together, and at the same time to celebrate hard work, perseverance, and journalists we believe have done wonderfully well in investigative reporting,” Yahaya said.
On the state of press freedom in Nigeria, Yahaya reaffirmed the constitutional role of the media, urging journalists to fully utilize existing legal frameworks in holding government accountable.
“As you all know, we have what we call the Freedom of Information Act, and as journalists we need to use such laws to ensure that government is accountable. Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution as amended makes it clear that our duty is to hold government accountable. At this time, we must remain focused, build the capacity of our members, and equip them with the constitutional provisions, code of ethics and code of practice so that they can do their jobs without fear or intimidation,” he added.
In her remarks, NAWOJ President Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim commended Senator Ita-Giwa for sustaining the award, describing it as a morale booster for journalists across the country.
“This is my second time coming to Calabar after 20 years, and the first time I was here I was impressed by the tranquility, peace and hospitality of the people. I have always prayed to return to this state because it has so much similarity with where I come from. I want to commend the organisers and NUJ for rekindling this programme because it tells journalists that when you work hard, at the end of the day you will be appreciated,” she said.
While receiving the delegation at her residence, Senator Ita-Giwa assured them of her continuous support for initiatives that promote quality journalism.
She commended the NUJ and NAWOJ for their role in strengthening democracy through investigative reporting and pledged to continue standing by journalists in their efforts to hold leaders accountable.
