Vanguard reports that the House Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barr. Magaji Oba AbdulKadir, has called on journalists nationwide to prioritise unity and national development in their professional practices.

Speaking at the Media Parliament organised by the Sobi FM Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kwara State Council on Thursday, the lawmaker emphasised the critical role of the media in fostering nation-building. The event, held at the Sobi FM Radio Station, was themed: “Nigerian Parliament and Nation Building: The Role of the Media.”

AbdulKadir urged journalists to uphold ethical standards in their reportage, highlighting the media’s responsibility in shaping public opinion and advancing democratic governance.

Abdul Kadir said that journalists cannot do otherwise,” because they’re the soldiers of Nation Building, it is from the media that we get the feel of the nation, we know whether the nation is progressing or failing through the works of the media.”

He also said that the works of journalists are sensitive hence everyone must have a subjective mind in nation building,”so journalists must work in a way to unite and promote the country.” he stressed.

The lawmaker who described journalists as playing more critical roles in Nation building than other arms of government, the executive inclusive also tasked journalists to always be truthful and factual in their reports by doing fact-checking and also getting all necessary angles to every report before publication.

He also pointed out that any government whether elected or appointed must partner with the Media in order to be successful.

The House Leader who expressed concern that Social Media handlers have taken over works of traditional media noted once a journalist understood his critical roles in Nation building,he won’t target blackmailing anyone or be involved in running any system down.

In his address,the immediate past Chairman of Sobi FM Chapel of Kwara NUJ,Mr Dare Akogun said that the event was their modest contributions towards stimulating journalists to keep their eyes on professionalism and Nation Building.

Akogun also urged journalists to be alive to their civic responsibilities in the face of intimidations and harassments by enemies of nation building and rather focus on the rewards from the unity and progress of the country through their daily practice.

Former Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists( NUJ) Comrade Biodun AbdulKarim in his remarks urged the Speaker not to relent in his efforts by legislating on issues that would ease the poor living standards of residents of the state.