By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State council will honour wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru for her good works which has saved lives in the society.
The state Chairman of the union, Comrade Samson Nwafor disclosed this at the secretariat of the union in Abakaliki, the state capital during a press briefing to kick-start this year’s press week.
He noted that the Ebonyi First Lady will be honored by the state NUJ during it’s press week scheduled for 3rd October, 2024.
The event he said, would be attended personalities across all sectors.
Nwafor said the theme of the 2024 press week -“Journalism Amidst Economic Uncertainty”, was informed by the worsening economic predicament of Nigeria which has badly retrogressed the growth and development journalists have witnessed in the Media Industry as a nation, prior to this time.
He described press week as an annual event observe by journalists across the 36 states of the federation and FCT, Abuja, a period practicing Journalists take stock of their operations to know how they have faired in the year under review.
“It affords us the opportunity to underscore how our operations have impacted positively or otherwise on the society and thinker on how best to improve and move forward for the betterment of the society. It’s also a period we invite our friends from all walks of life to dine and wine with us, encourage and advise us where necessary.
“This year’s Press Week kicked-off with the setting up of a 17-man Planning Committee headed by Comrade Amechi Odo. The Committee was charged to do everything legitimately possible to give the Council a successful Press Week.
“The theme of the Press week is, “Journalism Amidst Economic Uncertainty”.
“Why the theme? The choice of this topic was informed by the worsening economic predicament of Nigeria which has badly retrogressed the growth and development we have witnessed in the Media Industry as a nation, prior to this time.
“In the last 9 years plus, alot of Media establishments have shutdown across Nigeria, while others have resorted to offering skeleton services due to the ravaging bad economy which has made cost of living and doing businesses in the Country, a hell.
“Sadly, the situation has resulted to a lot of Journalists and Media Practitioners losing their jobs while others still holding forth can no longer afford to feed very well, because they are either poorly paid or not paid at all. It has also become almost impossible for them to lay hands on operational gadgets, not to talk about the latest ones, for effective and efficient discharge of their constitutional duties like their counterparts in other countries.
“It’s against this backdrop that we seek to know through this topic the fate/future of the Media Industry in Nigeria amidst these obvious economic challenges.And we’re convinced that you will do justice to the topic.
“We strongly believe that the Keynote Speaker, Dr Chike Onwe, who is a senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication EBSU, will do justice to this topic.
“The planning committee outlined the following activities to mark the week: Medical outreach today, Wednesday, 25th September,2024. Time is 10a.m.
“On Wednesday, Friday, 27th September, 2024, tour of key government Projects by 10a.m, Saturday, 28th September, 2024, we are hoping interact with His Excellency to mark the event and the 28th anniversary of Ebonyi State creation. Time and Venue will be communicated if His Excellency approves of the Media Chat. Monday, 30th September, 2024, there will be a road walk by 7a.m to be followed by novelty football Match with Immigration Team at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki by 4pm.
“On Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024, we shall visit orphanage and old people’s homes. Time 10a.m and Thursday, 3rd October, 2024 is the grand finale scheduled to hold at Women Development Centre, Ezza road, Abakaliki. Time is 10a.m. Chairman of the occasion is Chief Stephen Uchenna Igwe JP, Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ebonyi State.
“It’s on this note that the Council wishes to inform the general public that all is set for the 2024 Press Week and promises to be one of the best Press Week we ever had in the history of the Council because of the preparations we are putting in place.
“The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who is the Special Guest of Honour is expected to grace the occasion. Her Excellency,the wife of the Governor who is going to be honoured for her good works is expected to also grace the occasion.
“The Council, therefore, invites the general public and all lovers of the Media to join us on Thursday, 3rd October,2024, to mark the grand finale of the Press Week”, Nwafor stated.
