By Aliyu DANLADI
The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 9, Mr Hosea Karma, has assured journalists and other media professionals of adequate protection during the 2019 general elections coverage in the area.
Karma gave the assurance on Thursday in his remark at the end-of-year party/symposium, organised by the the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia council.
Represented by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Egwu Chukwu, the AIG further promised that he would continue to explore avenues to ensure a more robust relationship between police and media professionals in the zone.
He expressed regrets over the occasional friction between journalists and police, especially the rank-and-file, during major events, such as general elections.
He said that the development would soon be a thing of the past, adding that the police and journalists should work in synergy during such events.
Karma said that both groups were working for the same national interest, hence should not be seen antagonising each other.
He commended journalists for their all-important role of educating and informing the society and urged them not to rest on their oars.
Prof. Uche Ikonne, the Vice Chancellor of the Abia State Umuversity, Uturu, who was the chairman of the event, described journalism as a challenging and tasking profession.
Ikonne, who was represented by Prof. Chris Emerole, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture of the university, said that society relied heavily on the media for bit-by-bit information on the election process and outcome.
He commended journalists for their commitment in the discharge of their duties toward the overall development of the nation.
The Guest Speaker, Ven. Alex Ihemekwala of the Umuahia Anglican Diocese, said that journalists usually faced serious hazards while discharging their duties across the world.
Ihemekwala described the theme of the event, “2019 general elections: the challenges before journalists,” as apt.
He underscored the need for security agencies in the country to work hand in glove with journalists, especially toward ensuring a hitch-free and successful general elections.
In his goodwill message to the event, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship that existed between the command and journalists in the state.
Ezike, who was represented by SP Ngollor Olaka, further promised to continue to identify with journalists in the discharge of their duties.
In his address of welcome, Chief Obinna Ibe, the Chairman of the chapel, expressed regrets that journalists usually faced harassment, intimidation, brutality and sometimes killed in the course of their lawful duties by “overzealous security operatives.”
Ibe therefore called on security agencies in the country to see journalists as partners in progress rather than enemies and to give them protection, especially during the elections.
The Chairman of Abia NUJ, Mr John Emejor, admonished journalists to be cautious in their election coverage, avoid sensational and false reports that could cause them serious problem.
Also, Mr Hyacinth Okoli, the immediate past Chairman of Abia NUJ, charged journalists to ensure adequate coverage of the polls and de-emphasize acts that would drag the image of the profession in the mud.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Uche Ogah, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, representing Abia North, also sent their goodwill messages through their media aides, Messrs Joshua Ogbonna and Kingsley Ngunu, respectively.
