The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State Ciuncil, Chief Chris Akaraonye has called on the opposition and critics of Governor Hope Uzodinma-led government to be positive in criticising the activities of the government.
Chief Akaraonye said that objective criticism would help the government amend, where necessary, its activities.
The chairman made the call when the Southeast Zonal Chairman of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) Chief Chris Ifesi paid him a courtesy call at NUJ Secretariat, Portharcourt Road Owerri.
He advised those criticising the government to be positive in their criticism because criticising the government negatively would distract the smooth running of the government.
Comrade Akaraonye, while decrying what bad, barbaric, and wicthhunting criticisms had done against the authorities in the society, called on political office holders and party members to support the good works of government rather than discrediting their programmes and policies.
He commended the leadership of YPP South East for being supportive to constituted authorities as well as offering well constructed criticisms to propel governments to live up to expectations in the zone and Nigeria at large.
Comrade Akaraonye noted that the party is not only an opposition party but a formidable and peaceful one with leadership and members who understand the rules of engagement and has not treaded on falsehood, blackmail and inciting statements to overheat the polity.
He commended and urged the party’s Zonal Chairman, Chief Ifesi who was recently elected to the office as well as the state Chairman of the party, Hon. Victor Diala to always live up to expectations like they were known.
“I really want to commend the party, YPP in the state, under the leadership of Diala for being one of the parties that criticizes constructively and urge them to support the government for a better Imo State,” he said.
Responding, the South East Zonal Chairman of Young Progressive Party, YPP, Chief Ifesi thanked the leadership of Imo NUJ for the warm reception given to him and the leadership of the party in the state.
He said the party is not just a party but a political movement in the country to bring good governance.
“To be realistic, what we have in the Nigeria of today is not what the citizens bargained for. There used to be Vision 2010, but we are now in Vision 2020; yet the vision is still a mirage,” he said.
Chief Ifesi described Nigerian journalists as one of the best in the world having stood their grounds in media surveillance, agenda setting and advocacy as well as in fighting misrule in the country.
He cited the professional practices of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the way forward to unseat insensitive governments instead of blackmails.
“Nigerian journalists are among those topping the chart in the world. They are fierce, they are brave and courageous,” he said.
The YPP Zonal Chairman who decried bad leadership and political structure in the country, indicated interest to work with NUJ Imo State to put things right politically as agents of good change and stakeholders in societal matters while promising on behalf of the party not to disappoint the people.
“For YPP, I assure you that we will criticize constructively and will not disappoint you. Members of YPP are dynamic and new breed of politicians who are eager to build a society where everyone will be happy and proud of.
Earlier, the State Party Chairman, Hon. Victor Diala described the Imo NUJ Chairman as a very supportive, understanding, loving and accommodating personality hence the visit to the secretariat to cheer him in his good and notable works in the union as well as professional conduct of journalists in the state.
The visit had in attendance the Imo YPP Chairman, the Zonal Chairman for South East, the Woman Leader, Amb. Chika Uju and other party faithfuls.
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