…As Prof. Gwarzo harps on national cohesion, adherence to professionalism
Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Hotoro GRA, Kano is to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the regularization and enhancement of Mass Communication and Journalism relate courses offered by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) with a view to advancing and internationalizing the umbrella body of Journalists in Nigeria for the greater benefit of its members.
This was announced on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, by the founder and Chairman of the Governing Council of MAAUN, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo when he received in audience, the national leadership of the NUJ, led by its President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo.
Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo noted that journalism remains one of the best professions in the world thus, the need for practitioners to adhere to the best ethical standards and rules guiding the profession.
He particularly challenged Journalists in the country to set the standards by overcoming and going beyond primordial sentiments such as ethnic, regional affiliations and religious biases, adding that there is the need for journalists to set the agenda for politicians on issues that are in the best interest of the country and not the other way round.
Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo also said that journalism profession needs more people with diplomatic minds particularly for a country as diverse and big as Nigeria with people of different cultural backgrounds.
According to him; “I do not believe that Nigeria should allow politicians to continue to divide the people along religion or tribal lines as these are not the real issues affecting the country. We must stop thinking along such mundane lines in order for the country to move forward and attain the much needed socio-economic and political development”.
Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo, who was President of Protection of Journalists Rights in Africa, also appealed to journalists to always demonstrate utmost objectivity and professionalism in their reportage particularly against the backdrop of the critical role they play in promoting national unity.
He also stressed the need for journalists in Nigeria to be bilingual in contemporary world to enable meet present demands and also be in a position to compete internationally.
Earlier in his remarks, the President of the NUJ, Isiguzo, canvassed the need for collaboration with the University in the area of training and retraining of Journalists as well as the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), an institution owned by the NUJ.
Isiguzo lauded Prof Abubakar Gwarzo for his vision, focus, ingenuity and direction in the establishment of such a world class University, adding the IIJ would be too ready and glad to enjoy robust partnership with the University in overall interest of Journalists and other students of the Institute.
According to him; “I believed that the collaboration would benefit Journalists in Nigeria as could have the opportunity of benefitting from the past experiences of lecturers of University”.
Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo te NUJ leadership round some of the projects of the University under construction that include the newly constructed Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed Twin-Lecture Theatre, Ibrahim Usman Yakasai Sports Complex, School of Nursing Sciences, School of Computing, School of Health Sciences and School of Social and Management Sciences.
