Plateau journalists could not hide their excitement on Thursday May 18, 2023 as Governor Simon Bako Lalong commissioned their newly remodeled Press Centre.
Led by their state Chairman, Mr. Paul Jatau, the journalists who came out in their numbers to celebrate their newly refurbished and furnished headquarters, located at Hill Station Junction Jos rained accolades on the Governor for giving them a befitting Secretariat.
The NUJ Chairman said the union is highly excited with its newly remodeled headquarters that houses its office, hall for press conferences and other activities.
Jatau disclosed that since 1982 when former civilian Governor, Solomon Daushep Lar allocated the structure to the Union, the Press Center had not witnessed any serious or significant remodeling, as was done by the governor.
The NUJ Chairman praised the governor for supporting the Union with welfare many welfare schemes and recalled the financial support he gave the NUJ Endowment Trust Fund set up in 2008 when 8 members of the NUJ lost their lives in a car accident, while on official duty over a decade ago.
NUJ National officer, Ladi Emmanuel, from the State Ministry of Information described the Governor as “A man of his words” who has not only kept to his promise to revamp the state print media, Plateau Publishing Corporation but renovated the NUJ Press Center to give it a befitting outlook.
Plateau Commissioner for Information, Hon. Dan Manjang described the interactive forum with the journalists as a valedictory session and the last interaction between journalists and the Governor before he leaves office in the upcoming week, on May 29.
Manjang said the Governor Lalong led rescue administration has proved critics who said the governor did not achieve anything wrong, with the commissioning of the British American overhead bridge, and over 30 projects in agriculture, health, infrastructure among others, which they achieved within the ambientes of resources available to them.
While appreciating the support and critical role the Journalists played during the 8-year tenure of the Governor Lalong led administration, Manjang said the record of achievements of the government speaks for itself.
After commissioning the Press Center, the governor requested for an interactive question and answer session with the journalists, where he responded to personal questions concerning his high and low moments as governor, and other state issues.
Journalists from various media houses practicing in the state commended Lalong for bringing the Plateau Publishing Corporation back to life, and called for employment of manpower for the organisation, including revamping of Plateau Radio Television Corporation.
Lalong pointed out that the role of journalists as the fourth estate of the realm has impacted in his government while their writings and constructive criticism had put him on his toes.
He announced that aside remodeling the NUJ Press Center, his government had recorded a lot of infrastructural achievements to be commissioned which includes the British junction flyover, New Jos High Court Complex and Indoor Court House, among others.
He made cash donations and announced other welfare support as his parting gift to them.
