By Mohammad Lawal Maikudi
For eight years,pup the relationship between Kaduna State Government and Journalists in the state could be described as frosty.
Before the coming of Nasir Ahmad el-Rufa’i in 2015, Kadunla use to be a very vibrant and media friendly environment where young aspiring Journalists cherish to come. Those already practicing in the state would only move out if it becomes inevitable. This is why many decided to make Kaduna home, and comfortable.
But the situation changed drastically when el-Rufa’i became governor in 2015, withdrawing the welfare packages offered to Journalists by preceding governments in the state.
The withdrawal of welfare packages carried out in the name of blocking leakages in the finances of the state affected several social strata groups.
But the case of Journalists might have additional reasons. The el- Rufa’i team felt that the Journalists did not give them the support they needed to win the 2015 gubernatorial elections and therefore decided to place them as onlookers.
One of the strategies employed to deal with the Kaduna Journalists was to import a media aide from outside the state. As he had no connection with local journalists, the aide picked some few and did his job with them. The local Journalists were kept at bay, relying on news emanating from the previlledged few in the good books of the government.
The Journalists were also subjected to trauma due to the attitudes of some practitioners in the state. The most prominent issues which drew the trouble of el- Rufa’i was a report on his declaration of asset at the Code of Conduct Bureau. el -Rufa’i was bitter with the report and went to court. and sought redress.
While the case was in court, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), showed solidarity with the reporter without properly investigating the matter to ascertain whether what the reporter reported was okay by the code of journalism conduct.
Usually when a case of this nature. comes up, the union carries out an investigation. If the case was investigated and the journalist is found guilty as charged, he is asked to apologize. But if the journalist is found to have committed no infraction, the union stands by him and pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
The second episode was a report of some killings which was discovered to be a concoction of the writer, which the government perceived as meant to cause violence that could have led to the loss of lives and property in the state.
Again, the matter was taken to court by the government and the council members stood by the reporter even though there was no report of investigation to ascertain authenticity of the report or otherwise.
The attitude of the el-Rufa’i government lead to some attacks from some of his attack dogs who threaten the NUJ and its members with some recklessness. A typical example was one Alhaji Salisu 1010 who has formed the habit of coming to the NUJ secretariat dropping the names of el Rufa’i that he would ensure the NUJ is forced out of the premises since it was issued the C of O the property.
He bragged he would send his “boys” Hafiz Bayero and Sama’ila Umaru Dikko, DG KASUPDA.to continue harassing the NUJ.
It was one the reasons the NUJ was being bombarded with letters of warning on one thing or the other. One of the means through which the NUJ raises funds to finance its activities was blocked by KASUPDA.to please him.
But efforts seem to be being made by the new administration in the state lead by Governor Uba Sani.
During the 2023 World Press Freedom Day, Governor Uba Sani was quoted saying he hailed the resilience of Nigerian Journalists, pledging to run a media-friendly administration as soon as he takes over the affairs of the state on May 29.
Uba Sani said he would remain committed to providing “free and safe” media space in the state.
He said freedom of the press is a fundamental principle that communication and expression through various media, including print and electronic media, especially published materials, should be considered a right to be exercised freely.
Sani, however, added that such preservation should only be sought through the constitution or other legal protection and security.
Aknowwledging the significance of the media Governir Uba Sani further said “It was not just our daily dose of entertainment that was affected. There are people whose businesses rely on their Facebook presence and others who received calls for jobs on WhatsApp, who went into a state of panic,”
Recently, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor embarked on tour to media establishments in state to solicit for better understanding and working together for better Kaduna.
Also important are the appointments of Kaduna based media practitioners who thoroughly know the terrain to man the media operations on the state.
Another is the welfare offering to the journalists, especially as regards the Sallah gifts which gives the journalists a sense belonging and ready to partner the government in the drive to build better Kaduna State.
