From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, has called for a stronger partnership between the media and civil society to enhance democracy and governance.
He made the appeal during his visit to the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in Abuja, where both organizations discussed strategies to improve their collaboration.
Yahaya reflected on his journey from the Gombe State NUJ Council to his current national leadership role. He commended the strong partnership between civil society and the media, highlighting his dual identity as both a journalist and a civil society advocate through the Safe Advocacy Foundation in Gombe.
Yahaya shared a notable achievement: securing a budget allocation for nutrition in Gombe State despite facing significant opposition and accusations of being anti-government. He credited this success to a CISLAC subgrant that empowered his foundation to effect meaningful change.
Reiterating the constitutional duty of journalists to uphold free speech, he called for NUJ’s involvement in CISLAC initiatives aimed at enhancing journalists’ skills nationwide.
Addressing the state of journalism, Yahaya emphasized passion and dedication to the profession. He recounted his efforts to transform journalism in Gombe from a transactional practice to one centered on factual and transformative reporting.
Encouraging CISLAC staff to remain committed to their mission, he highlighted loyalty and dedication as critical elements for achieving sustainable impact.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, underscored the vital role of both the media and civil society in ensuring accountability and promoting good governance. He raised concerns about the diminishing civic space, particularly at the state and local levels, where critics often encounter legal challenges and political intimidation.
Rafsanjani pointed to Nigeria’s financial difficulties and stressed the importance of leveraging local resources to support impactful advocacy initiatives.
He called for the strengthening of democratic institutions and encouraged active citizen participation in governance.
He cited the unresolved case of activist Abu Hanifa Dadiyata as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those advocating for justice, emphasizing the media’s crucial role in enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.“The media and civil society are two sides of the same coin,” he remarked. “An attack on one is an attack on the other.”
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming the importance of collaboration between civil society and the media in addressing national challenges and upholding democratic values.