Front-line Abia state educationalist and Business Icon, Professor Gregory Ibe has felicitated with the entire leadership and members of the Abia State chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in commemoration of the 2020 World Press Freedom Day celebrated globally on May 3, 2020.

In a press release made available to AFNEWS and signed by Professor Ibe, he encouraged media professionals to be guided by the founding principles of journalism, by standing on the truth always, while maintaining steadfast loyalty to the citizens. He further enjoined all journalist to protect the independence of the industry by consistently telling the truth to power regardless of how it may be received.

Professor Ibe who is also the Chancellor and Proprietor of Gregory University Uturu,  urged media professionals  to deploy their skills in creating all forms of awareness about the scourge of COVID 19 to the grassroots, in performance of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

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THE CHAIRMAN
NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ)
ABIA STATE CHAPTER
UMUAHIA

GOODWILL MESSAGE
It is with great pleasure that I write to felicitate with the entire leadership and members of the Abia State chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in commemoration of the 2020 World Press Freedom Day celebrated globally on May 3, 2020.

The importance of the concept of press freedom, especially in a developing nation like ours, cannot be over emphasised.It is therefore the responsibility of all stakeholders in the Nigerian project to work towards creating an egalitarian society enabled by a free press. Subsequently, i enjoin you as members of the fourth estate of the realm to be guided by the founding principles of journalism, by standing on the truth always, while maintaining steadfast loyalty to the citizens. I enjoin you to continue to protect the independence of journalists and journalism fiercely and to tell the truth to power, regardless of how it may be received. Above all, resist the ever-present lure to sell the pen to the highest bidder, being constantly reminded of the fact that fair journalism saves lives and restores the society.

In the face of the threats posed to society by the COVID 19 pandemic, I wish to implore you to deploy journalism and indeed the media profession to the task of creating all forms of awareness about the scourge to the grassroots, in performance of your Corporate Social Responsibility.

As a major stakeholder in the media industry, I am privileged to employ many journalists in my media establishments, including The Nigerian Royal Mail Newspaper, Academia Uncut Newspaper, Gregory FM, Gregory TV, Catholic Television of Nigeria (CTV) and the recently licensed Skills FM. It is therefore my desire to continue to partner NUJ and other stakeholders in the media industry in the onerous task of ensuring the freedom of the press.
Receive assurances of my esteem regards.