NUJ, NBA, To Collaborate To Make Bayelsa A Better Place

 

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council and the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa Branch, have agreed to collaborate and work together  in order to make the  state a  more better place to live on.

The two associations reached the agreement at the weekend in Yenagoa when  the NBA executive led by  her current chairman, Clement Kekemeke, engaged NUJ in a dialogue.

The two associations agreed that when they work together, it will  promote transparency and accountability in the public space thereby  improving the social justice system in the state. 

Receiving the visitors, Tonye Yemoleigha, Chairman of NUJ Bayelsa State,  advised that the Judiciary should have some journalists accredited to ensure  seamless reportage.

The Chairman  maintained that the  dialogue, marks  a turning point for NUJ, NBA and  for Bayelsa State stating that with the collaboration and accreditation of Journalists to cover the Judiciary, the state will be showcased to the world.

Yemoleigha said:" We feel as NUJ, that there is need for us to have accredited reporters covering the court. It is only when you have some cases,  that you see journalist crowding your courts.

"We considered all those and we made that proposal, but the feedback wasn't what we expected. No, it doesn't work that way. We need the public to also interact with  the court.

"The beauty of having accredited journalist reporting the court, is that you will know them and it will make asses to information about proceedings easier to be reported  and they will be used to  court terminologies.

"While we work towards the synergy between NUJ and NBA, we should also push for accreditation of journalists to report our courts. 

"How many reports from Bayelsa Judiciary do you read on the pages of newspaper on yearly basis?. But you read every case from Lagos. State. The courts there, are they not within the Nigeria jurisdiction. What  is the difference. How do we now  sell the state? When the Press is gagged, it means you have stiffened the  society.

"On the protection of human rights, call on us, the Media  will  be ready to escalate the issue because what goes on in the Judiciary, if it is not amplified, those who ought to take corrections  may not know. 

"It is only proper that the Media is there to amplify the Judiciary and that will be in the best interest of all of us. So the benefits are enormous. And it will be good for all of us if we can work together to achieve that."

 He said that NUJ  will be happy to  collaborate with the NBA to ensure that when journalists find themselves in a brick wall, the NBA can come in adding that "what we are doing here today, will be a sign post to other states.

Speaking earlier, Clement Kekemeke, the Chairman of NBA Yenagoa Branch , had disclosed that NBA Yenagoa Branch came to seek for collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists Bayelsa Council.

Kekemeke assured that  with the collaboration  under review, the work of the two associations will be made easier stating that  the two groups have a lot  to do together.

He said:"There are mutual areas where we can leverage on  and one of those area is the Freedom of the Press which derives it's strength from the Constitution.

"We realized the fact that the Press is an instrument for us to promote the rule of law.  Without the freedom  of the press, the so much thanked about  rule of law is incomplete and so we know that in  so many areas,  we have reason as the Bar to depend on the  NUJ to promote our course while we collectively project the freedom of the press.

"And I can assure you that here in Bayelsa State, the NBA Yenagoa Branch, we are ready to partner with you and promote the freedom of the press. We will not watch any of yours being haunted  by the powers that be unjustly for discharging your legitimate duties.

"You can always knock on our doors and we are willing to open.  We thought that it is important to have this meeting and reiterate our readiness to collaborate with you. 

"The NBA has a role to play in this and that role we are always willing to play.

In the area of asses to information, we can assure you,  on behalf of our branch that you will have that collaboration.

"We will also want to collaborate  with you on  the area of protection of human rights which requires the press to  enlighten our people.  We can jointly carry out this advocacy by enlightening the populace together."