Shehu Sani Donate Cars to Imprisoned, Injured Kaduna Journalists
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, Senator Shehu Sani, on Sunday donated two cars to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Kaduna State Council.
One of the beneficiaries is lawal Muhammed of Liberty Television who was injured and his camera distroyed in the last Sunday attack by some thugs in a politically motivated action that was targeted at some federal legislators including Sani and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ‘Akida’ faction in the State.
The other is former Kaduna State Correspondent of the Vanguard Newspaper, who is currently imprisoned by the Kaduna State Government over false publication.
Presenting the Toyota Corolla and a Peugeot 206 cars to the chairman man NUJ, Kaduna state council, Comrade Yusuf Adamu, Special Adviser on Political Matters to Senator Sani, Suleiman Ahmed, said the cars is a way of showing appreciation for the professionalism exhibited by the Kaduna Journalists.
“Mr Chairman and other distinguished members if the fourth estate of the realm.
I’m here today to show appreciation for your professionalism and service to humanity as journalists in Kaduna state.
“It will be recalled that on the 30th of July 2017,sponsored thugs invaded your premises while we are holding a press conference.That condemable act sends a bad signal for our democracy,our state and our country.
“Its regrettable that 18years of democratic rule,some bad elements in our clime still find it difficult to tolerate dissenting views.
“We cannot build any future for our children as long as we cannot imbibe the spirit of tolerance.” he noted.
Suleiman, added that “it’s an incontrovertible fact that where the press is not free no one is free and where the press is free everyone is free.
“Free press and rights to expression are indispensable ingredients of a democratic state.Those who chose the path of violence or persecution to stifle dissent of silence the media have no space or future in a democratic society.
“The change agenda of the ruling party and government in the country must include respect for fundamental human rights and civil liberties.”
According to him, “the media played a major role in our struggle against military rule,you must never compromised or be cowed by any politician or public office holder whose ambition or position cannot be guaranteed in an atmosphere of free press.
“Journalists in Kaduna must stand for the truth and the ethics of your profession.
“A journalists must not reduce himself to a public relations officer of people in Government.Politicians will come and go the press will be with humanity for eternity.
“Journalists must resist divisions and distractions and deceptions.You will not call if you continue to stand together and stand with your comrades who are persecuted or in jail.
“We must all stand up against hate speech and we must all stand up against those hiding behind hate speech in order to silence free speech. Any person lacking in courage and conscience has no future in journalism.
“A journalist must never now down to force nor be tempted by favour or promises of favour;your dignity is more than everything.”
