From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Defenders of press freedom and promoters of good governance will receive the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Award, as an encouragement for them to maintain the tempo.
NUJ National President, Chris Iziguzo, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja stated that journalists who have been harassed, physically injured, imprisoned or killed in the line of duty, would be recognised.
Aside highlighting the importance of press freedom in a democratic system, Iziguzo said the Union would continue to resist dictatorial tendencies by government or any institution, geared towards stifling responsible freedom of information.
He said: “Press Freedom Awards celebrate the important principles of press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Press freedom is an indispensable pillar in the architecture of democracy anywhere in the world.
“No democracy can thrive without citizen’s adequate access to transparent and reliable information. Press freedom is the cornerstone for building fair and impartial institutions.
“Press Freedom is a catalyst in the mobilisation of the citizenry to hold their leaders accountable as well as promote speaking truth to power.
“The press is the fourth arm of government and recognised so in the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended. It is the duty of the press to hold government and citizens accountable at different levels.
“Herein lies our decision this year to combine the Good Governance Awards together with the Press Freedom Awards.
“The Good Governance Awards will serve as a veritable barometer for assessing good governance, promote accountability of elected and appointed public office holders as well as leaders in publicly quoted companies.
“Furthermore, the Good Governance Awards will engender peer review and competition among political office holders and business leaders, and educate the citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
“Press Freedom therefore is a catalyst for good governance, and good governance makes dividends of democracy available to citizens in real terms.
“Many journalists in Nigeria have faced harassment, threat, physical injury, imprisonment, and even death in the course of discharging their legitimate duties.
“It is the courage and sacrifice of these journalists that we are celebrating by organising the 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards.”
Iziguzo added: “The awards will be given to public and political office holders who have made outstanding contribution to the defence of press freedom/or have actively supported press freedom.
“Good Governance Awards, Good Governance Awards will be in twenty-two categories: Good Governance Award, Roads Construction, Good Governance Award Healthcare, Good Governance Award Education, Good Governance Award Agriculture, Good Governance Award Economic Development, Good Governance Award Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Good Governance Award Transparency, Good Governance Award Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),
“The above listed categories of awards are for Governors, CEOs of companies and CEOs of government departments and agencies who have creditably distinguished themselves in the thematic areas listed above.”
He explained that the next categories of awards would be given to the leadership and members of the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly who have distinguished themselves upholding democracy, budget cycle restoration, effective fiscal responsibility and constituency development.
According to him, the next set will be for advocates of the masses and human rights, Media and Stakeholder Relations, sponsors of motions and bills, Constitution amendment, defender of democracy, political stability of Nigeria among others.
He called “on individuals and corporate bodies to support NUJ’s efforts to ensure a successful hosting of the Press Freedom Awards on May 4, 2024.
“The success of this event is for the collective good of all in our quest for a better Nigeria.”