Emir Of Fika to Journalists: Tell government the truth, hold it to account
Mai Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrissa
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Emir of Fika and Chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrissa, has charged journalists to always to tell government the truth and hold it to account in the interest of the nation.
The Mai Fika gave the charge when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Potiskum.
Muhammadu Ibn Abali, who is also the Convener of the Council of the Traditional Leaders of Africa, said journalists should not be praising government but rather steer it to the truth to ensure equity and good governance.
He commended journalists in the state for their remarkable performance and implored them to continue to be professional in their reportage.
“I think you have been doing that. Always tell government the truth and don’t over praise them,” he added.
The Emir also urged journalists to adequately report on the current economic hardship in the country, saying “you have the responsibility to always report the suffering of the people”.
Muhammadu Ibn Abali said journalists in the state had shown resilience in covering the state, especially in the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Emir pledged maximum support to the journalists to deliver on their mandate.
Earlier, the chapel Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Abba, assured the emir that they would continue to make necessary sacrifices in reporting the state.
Ahmed appreciated the emir for embracing working journalists in the state.
“This palace has been home for us. We really appreciate your royal highness and the members of the palace. This is a unique reception we have never had anywhere and we will forever live to remember it.
“Whenever you need our support, we are readily available your royal highness,” the chairman added.
He sympathised with the palace over recent incidents in a school in the area.