EBONYI HAG TASK MEDIA PRACTITIONERS IN NIGERIA TO BE THE WATCHDOG OF GOVT ACTORS

By Ewa Nworie

The Attorney General and commissioner for justice,Ebonyi state,Dr Ben Odoh,has tasked media practitioners in the country to be the watchdog of government actors so as to hold them accountable to the people. 

   Dr Odoh gave the charge during a courtesy visit of Association of Ikwo media practitioners,in his office at Ochudo centenary city,Abakaliki.

 Odoh who described journalists as critical partners of government,said,government cannot work effectively without the media doing their work.

    His words," Government cannot work effectively without the media doing the work of check and balance.

 "Any government that neglect the impact of the media, is standing on a keg of gun powder.

So I want to sincerely welcome you to my office and say I'm delighted and all agog to be interfacing with you today. It is an honor, rare honour that I'm not taking for granted.  

"I am also using this medium to congratulate you chief Ewa Nworie for your victorious emergence as the president of this noble association, and your executive members. 

 "Serve as a watch dog on us , because with your correct reportage we will be on our toes and it will also help us to know when not to step on the red lines.      "As government and as the chief law officer of the State I live, an intentional life. Intentional to do justice.

  " I'm sure on your way if not that you were told this is ministry of justice, you would have misconstrued this place to be an extension of international market. These are seekers of justice, some of them are seekers of private justice, some of them are market women, who are here to say their rights have been infringed upon when they were doing their business. Some of them are seekers of matrimonial justice, I'm sure you also saw children here, some of them are here as children to say their right as children have been infringed upon. 

    "So our doors are wide open. I can close this my door for safety but there are lot of implications of closing this door. Number one if I close this door against people who come here, even though intentionally done for my safety, I will be closing the door of justice.      

  "The seekers may not even understand that I'm closing it for my safety but they will go home with the impression that I shut the door of justice, implication is that there is no place for justice in Ebonyi state. Because this is the first port of call for seekers of justice.

  "So we are very intentional about the corporate life we live here because every little mistake we make here will make or mar some people and will also infringe on people's rights and may also deny people access to justice especially seekers of private justice. 

We are intentional, and these are the things we do we need the media to serve as our watchdog to know when to limit and warn ourselves against over exercising our excesse, because  we are humans and are bond to make mistakes.

   " Because if the media is there to ask us why we took such actions, we will know that as we are dancing some people are watching our dancing steps. So we must dance with caution and see that every mistake will be misconstrued and misunderstood. That's why I'm praying you the media practitioners especially from my own extraction to be watchdog to this office not minding who is involved. That's why sometimes we go extra miles. 

 "I want to say please be our partners in this fight against injustice, to bring justice to our people,not only that, but let they see that Justice is seen to be done.

     Earlier,the national President of Association of Ikwo media practitioners,chief Ewa Nworie,had told the commissioner for justice that they were in his office to present the new executives of the Association.

 Chief Ewa Nworie commended the Attorney General,Dr Ben Odoh for the justice reform and quick dispensation of justice he has brought to judicial system in the state,stressing that,the Asociation was very proud of him.

   "Association of Ikwo Noyo Media Practitioners is very proud of you, sir, especially for your achievements in justice reform and quick dispensation of justice,"

   The national President,further explained that the Association was formed to unite journalists from Ikwo,as well as to work with  stakeholders to promote,unity,peace and progress,adding that,the mandate of the Association,also include,agenda setting for leaders of Ikwo extraction,to ensure the development of Ikwo local government area.