From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has prayed for unity among Nigerian media to enable them work efficiently, in uniting the government and people of the country for peace, progress and development.
Governor Sule, in an interview with journalists, immediately after the Friday Ju’maat prayers held at the Secretariat Mosque in Lafia to mark the commencement of the 2021 NUJ Press Week in Nasarawa state, said the media has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country.
According to him, Nigerian media has important roles to play in fostering unity between government and the diverse ethnic groups in the country, hence, the need to continuously pray and encourage them in the discharge of their duties.
“Let me congratulate the NUJ for the event they are having and because of that, today we prayed for the NUJ, for the country and for ourselves. We pray God to continue to unite the members so they can unite with the government so we can work for the benefit of humanity.
“We pray that this event will be the beginning for a lot of more successes, growth and alot of progress for the NUJ,” Governor Sule said.
Also speaking, Chief Imam of the Secretariat Mosque, Imam Abdulmuminu Aliyu, said journalism was as old as civilisation, even during the days of Prophet Mohammed and journalists have continued to play significant roles in the growth and development of the society.
He called on journalists in the state and the country to be patriotic, with the view of contributing to peace building, unity and development in the state and country at large.
On his part, the state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Salihu Alkali, said he was delighted that his administration had reintroduced the annual NUJ Press Week after some years of not organising it.
“I am also delighted that we have started with prayers and by Sunday we will converge at the church for special church service on this occasion.
“There is no way we can achieve success if we don’t work together. The governor is happy with us. So let us work in unity for the state and the country as a whole,” he said.
