The Grand Khadi of Kaduna State, Justice (Dr) Shehu Ibrahim Ahmad, has expressed concern over neglect of media practitioners in Nigeria.

Making the remark when the Executive Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council paid him a visit on Tuesday, he said the journalism profession is one of the most essential that human cannot doing without.

According to him, “The society especially political office holders do not accord priority and importance to media practitioners whose profession accords them the power to make or mar.

“It is so unfortunate that journalists are having difficulty without required support from the powers-that-be as well as the society, in the discharge of their duties of telling the truth, and upholding the government accountable to the people.”

The Grand Khadi said that as the fourth estate of the realm, coming after the three arms of any meaningful democratic government, it is high time the society realised the significance of the men of the pen.

He then described the six compilers of the Sunni Hadith as “the good journalists who reported the traditions/sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) and his holy progeny after the Holy Quran,” adding that should journalists emulate their moral and spiritual feats, the Nigerian society would be a better place to live.

The Grand Khadi then charged journalist to shun all acts of unethical conducts, while commending the efforts of the Kaduna state council; to minimise the cases of quackery and yellow journalism.

Justice Ahmad then assured the NUJ council of his readiness to partner with them in serving the society well, according to the law, while saying that, as a technical section of the judiciary, they can work in any department of the judiciary, but other judicial staff cannot work in a Sharia Court of Appeal because of their Islamic background.

Earlier in his address, the Kaduna state Council Chairman, Comrade Garba Muhammad, applauded the feats of the Grand Khadi since he assumed office in many areas, such a training and retraining of his staff, the renovation of their office into befitting one as well as the speedy dispensation of all cases brought before the Sharia courts across the state.

He also informed the Grand Khadi of their desire to have a judicial training for journalists on courts reporting in view of its technical nature and jargons difficult to comprehend in most times.

Comrade Muhammad then enumerated some of his council’s achievements which include entrepreneurship skill acquisition for members which is coming up few weeks from now, and the reestablishment of Institute of Journalism courses to fill the vacuum of lack of professional training for some members.

The NUJ Chair also informed the Grand Khadi of his council’s readiness to guard against unethical conducts as well as quackery, while informing him to report any such acts to the council to necessary action.

Highlights of the visit are group photograph, signing of visitors register.

•Photo shows Grand Khadi of Kaduna State, Justice (Dr) Shehu Ibrahim Ahmad (L) discussing with Comrade Garba Muhammad during the visit.

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