Zulum’s media aide threatens Borno reports, others
Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
The Borno State Correspondents’ Chapel members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), have said the antics of media aide to Governor Babagana Zulum, Baba Sheikh Haruna continue to undermine workings and reports of media.
According to Chapel, the continuous undermine attempts of Haruna however; gags press freedom, thereby threatening publicizing activities of Zulum and Borno reports.
The Chairman of the Chapel, Haruna Dauda-Biu in a statement signed and made available to Newsmen in Maiduguri, said that “It’s disheartening to observe that in recent times, there were deliberate attempts by the media aide to frustrate or prevent members of Chapel, who represent various national and international media outfits from doing their jobs.
While lamenting incessant threats of reporting, Dauda-Biu said that antic of median aide could no longer be tolerated as it impugns on press freedom, including free and fair reportage and media editorials.
“The recent alleged incidents of journalists’ undermine, have stifled the carrying out of various reports on people-oriented government policies and programmes,” he said, warning that this could no longer be tolerated.
He continued; “Zulum’s aide rode to the office as Chairman of the Borno State Chapter of the NUJ.
“He should also know better what press freedom is all about and the importance of media correspondents in publicizing the activities of his principal and acting as the watchdog.
“Haruna who recently assumed the supervisory role of the Governor’s media affairs has continued to engage in unprofessional conduct by refusing to invite or inform journalists of important public engagements or functions of Zulum in the state.”
According to him, the alleged act also negates provision of section 22 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,”
He also noted that the Constitution empowers the press to function freely without any form of hindrance or threats.
On roles of media aides, he said: “The Chapel wishes to remind the SSA Media that good governance and accountability, which his principal,
Governor Babagana Zulum stands for, can only be achieved when the media is allowed to cover and report the activities of government for effective checks and balances.”
“The Chapel has on several occasions tried to draw Mr. Baba-Sheikh Haruna’s attention to this unbecoming attitude but to no avail,”
warning that members of Chapel will no longer condone any attempt by Haruna or those he delegates to undermine press freedom in Borno.”
Zulum’s media aide threatens Borno reports, others
