Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ, has been asked not to backslide in the struggle to hold leaders at all levels of governance in the country accountable to the people.
This is even as they have been urged not to lose faith in the efforts geared towards repositioning Nigeria.
The call was made by a legal luminary and prominent Igbo son Chief Donald Ibezim Udeogu, SAN, at an interactive session with newsmen in Aba at the weekend.
He appealed to the members of the fourth estate of the realm to always stand by the truth in the discharge of their duties, and to be religious in publishing news stories that assist in reducing to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminating some observed leadership deficits in the country’s polity.
Chief Udeogu ,a senior Advocate Of Nigeria noted that irrespective of the current hardships in the land, occasioned by inept leadership and gross mismanagement, Nigerian youths have continued to show resilience, and readiness to brave the odds through their exemplary performances in various fields of endeavours, adding that the future remains bright for the country.
“When I see youths like you engaged in the very demanding tasks of informing, educating and trying to hold our leaders accountable, I am always over joyed knowing and believing that there is still hope for the country. It is not all Nigerians that are corrupt as being wrongly assumed by the international community. There are many, especially the youths who are engaged in genuine things, eking out a living through hard-work. My sincere admonition to you is to continue on the path of diligence, sincerity and commitment,”Udeogu stated.
He blamed the visible traits of underdevelopment, marginalization and oppression ongoing in the South-East on poor leadership.
According to him, those entrusted with the leadership of the region since after the Nigerian civil war have not shown enough vision, commitment and general leadership qualities, but have rather continued to distance themselves from the aspirations and interests the people.
Chief Udeogo, therefore advised Ndigbo to be united in their quest for a better and just deal in the Nigerian project, noting that it is only through hard work and brotherly love that their present struggles for national recognition will gain traction.