A two-day inaugural Bayelsa Media Summit has begun with Journalists tasked to project indigenous culture and identity in their reportage.
This was the thrust of the opening day of the Summit in Yenagoa organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists which has the theme ‘Media, Culture and Identity in Bayelsa State: Promoting Indigenous Perspective’.
Declaring the Bayelsa Media Summit open, Governor Douye Diri emphasized that Journalists have played major roles in the development of the nation from the struggle for independence from colonial period to advocating good governance, democracy and development in the post-colonial era.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, he charged Journalists to focus on quality reportage and investigative journalism, frowning against unethical practices especially on Social Media space.
Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai called on Media professionals to redirect attention to issues of development and reflect the diversity and cultural heritage of the people.
National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Alhassan Yahya who commended Journalists in Bayelsa State for the unity of purpose, stressed that the Media was a powerful tool to amplify the voices of indigenous people.
Chairman of the Bayelsa Council of the NUJ, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha who hinted at plans to make the Media Summit an annual event said it was put together to enable journalists enhance their capacities.
The Opening Day of the Bayelsa Media Summit featured paper presentations from Academics, a Panel Discussion and entertainment by children from the Ijaw Anointing Cultural troupe.
