As the world commemorates 2021 World Press Freedom Day, the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called stressed on governor Aminu Tambuwal to enhance the allowances of working journalists in the state,
A statement by the secretary of the council, Abubakar Imam made available to newsmen on Monday, also called for improved working relationship between media practitioners and security operatives, particularly the police.
“The council reappeals to the state government to enhance the welfare of working journalists; increase their allowances, provide them with working tools and operation vehicles,” the statement reads.
“Security operatives should always see journalists as friends and necessary partners in achieving their core mandates of maintaining law and order in our societies.
“On our part, we assure them of all the support necessary to achieve those mandates because no society would thrive in a state of insecurity.
It urged the general public to always support the security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and to avoid taking law into their hands.
The council however, described the recent attack on police divisional headquarter in Kware as unfortunate.
The council while commending its members for discharging their responsibilities deligently and in line with the ethics of the profession, it however reechoed its call on them to remain apolitical.
He enjoined them to continue to practice in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations of the profession.
The council also appealed to the state government to ensure timely completion of the on going projects and hasten the payment of retirement benefits to the retired civil servants as well as restore water supply to those communities cut off by developmental projects being executed in the state.