By: Tunde BOLAJI – MINNA.
The Special Adviser to the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago Niger state on Media Communications and Strategy, Hon. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa has described the media and Journalism practitioners as lubricants of democracy.
He spoke during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council at the IBB Pen House in Minna
The Special Adviser pointed out that he enjoyed a robust working relationship with Journalists when he held sway as Publicity Secretary of the APC and Commissioner of Information hence the visit to the State Council of the NUJ to reinvigorate the already established relationship.
He solicited for the support of the practicing Journalists particularly under the umbrella of the NUJ in projecting the image of the present administration under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
He said the Governor was changing the face of Niger through the ongoing agricultural revolution, education among others stressing that there was the need for residents of the State to intensify prayers for the Governor to succeed.
“Going back memory lane since creation of Niger State, I don’t think there’s any Governor who has come with the political will of massively delivering projects especially road constructions and infrastructural development.
“I’m telling you Bago have completely changed the face of Niger State.
“We need the support of the media to tell the whole world about the New Niger Agenda and what the Governor is doing in the ongoing Agricultural revolution, transformation in education sector, health and so on.
“This is why I’m here to partner with you to promote His Excellency and all his activities. I’ve come so that we can partner” Vatsa stressed.
He disclosed that he was working assiduously with the Commissioner of Information and Strategy to embark on media tour of all the projects across the State adding that even though the Ministry of Information was taking charge of the tour, the NUJ would be part of the tour.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Abu Nmodu expressed the need for the government to enhance their relationship with journalists in the State stressing that they were the primary gatekeepers of the State.
He underscored the importance of adopting strategic communication approach for a sustained image creation as according to him, doing so would go along way in projecting the policies and programmes of the government.
While expressing the need for adequate investment in media and publicity, Comrade Abu Nmodu urged the government to invest in the state owned media outfits to enable them perform optimally.
He described the Special Adviser as a media friendly personality and therefore assured him of the necessary support to enable him succeed.
Highlight of the visit was presentation of copies of the NUJ magazine and group photographs.