Nasarawa State governor Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has read the riot act to media practitioners, warning that the government would not condone “undue sensationalization and falsehood” about its activities or those of its officials. He handed down this warning when he commissioned the remodeled Press Centre at Government House, Lafia.
The occasion was attended by media executives in the state and journalists, including the director-general of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Malam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed. Also in attendance was the deputy governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, retired Justice Sidi Bage who led other traditional rulers to the event, Commissioner of Information Culture and Tourism, Hon. Dogo Shammah, other government officials as well as leadership of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC)
Stressing that his administration is guided by the rule of law, Governor Sule cautioned that its development agenda and efforts should not be viewed from prism of religion or ethnicity. He told the assembled journalists, “You should not mix religion or ethnicity to our work”. Eng. Sule remarked that his government “cherish objective and constructive criticism” as it helps to refine it, just as he acknowledged support of the press in showcasing its development activities to the people both within and outside Nasarawa state.
He however, advised journalists to adhere to ethics of the profession in their reportage. Governor Sule outlined the government’s own support to the media since he assumed office, among which is furnishing of the State’s Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) complex on Makurdi Road, Lafia, organization of the state’s first media award night last year.
Malam Ibrahim Adra, the new Chief Press Secretary to the governor revealed that the bill for physical remodeling of the Press Centre, landscaping and furnishing were footed by the governor from his personal funds.
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