The Commander, 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Lawrence Fejokwu, has urged journalists to assist the Federal Government in realising its objective of diversifying the economy through balanced reportage.

While receiving the executive members of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists who paid him a courtesy visit at the Officers Mess at the Goodluck Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia, Fejokwu pointed out that the manner some crime reports are packaged is capable of scaring investors, thereby hampering the agenda of the Federal Government to diversify the economy from crude oil.

He said that since the world is a global village, reports are read worldwide and investors who find some news stories unpalatable may shelve their plans of coming to invest in Abia State and Nigeria in general.

“Some reporting do cross the threshold,” he said, and stressed the need for news reports to pass objectivity test before they are published.

Fejokwu pointed that Aba in Abia State may be denied of welcoming genuine investors if reportage of criminal activities are sensationalised and unbalanced.

The commander, who assumed office early this year, pledged to work in synergy with the media in Abia State. He sought the support and cooperation of journalists to enable security agencies operating in Abia to succeed in ridding the state of criminal elements and eradicate violent crimes..

Earlier, Chairman of Abia State Council of the NUJ, Comrade John Emejor, had told the Commander that the visit was aimed at building a synergy between the union and the Brigade to enhance free flow of information and reportage of activities of the Brigade, as well as cooperation between the two bodies.

Emejor enjoined the Brigade to identify with the union in its Media games and training of its members.

The Chief of Staff of the 14 Brigade, Col Y. Hassan, as well as his Deputy, Lt. Col Ishaku, were present during the visit.

•Photo shows Brig.-Gen. Fejokwu.

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