The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has charged media practitioners to uphold the principles of balance and fair reportage of issues and events in order not to engender peace and stability in the Country.
The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, MON, FCIA gave the admonition when he received in audience the executive members of the Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He stated that balance and objective reporting of issues by the fourth estate of the realm should be the hallmark of a good reportage “It is both ethical and a national duty for reporters to make sure that they report facts, especially on Hajj activities as honest reportage not only make Hajj performance easier for the pilgrims but also less stressful for the Hajj managers”.
“Hajj is an important affairs in our nation, therefore, whatever you report can affect the polity either positively or negatively and also our relations with other countries. Sometimes what you report could cause diplomatic row with other nations,” he added.
Barr. Abdullahi attributed the success recorded by the commission in recent times to the fatherly role being played by President Muhammed Buhari. The President’s marching order that we should ensure that we not only expand our evaluation role, but that pilgrims must have full value of their money in terms of service delivery” he said, adding “This has propelled us to rein on non-performing providers and this has culminated in the commission securing a refund of aboutN1.7 Billion Naira from service provider who did not implement the service agreement we had with them in 2015 Hajj”.
The Chairman further expressed his willingness to assist the union in achieving its programmes especially the organization of media workshop on Hajj.
Earlier the Chairman of the council, Adamu Yusuf said they were in the Commission to express their solidarity and support to the Commission’s management in its quest to reduce the cost of Hajj.
He said that the achievements of the Commission over the last few years has given the council the confidence that Hajj management in Nigeria is in good hands and commended the Commission for the various innovation it introduced into Hajj operation which has seen the Nation records seamless Hajj exercise over time.
Uba Mana
Head of Media
29/03/2017
5,408 Comments