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By: Abdullahi InuwaÂ
KATSINA — A decade-long transportation challenge facing journalists covering government activities in Katsina State came to an end on Wednesday as Governor Dikko Umaru Radda presented a brand-new bus to the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), pledging continued support for the media as a critical partner in governance.
The donation replaces the chapel’s ageing vehicle, which had served journalists for over 10 years but had become unreliable, forcing reporters to miss several official assignments across the state.
Presenting the keys to the new bus, Governor Radda said an informed society is the foundation of good governance, stressing that no responsible administration can afford to neglect the media’s role in keeping citizens abreast of government policies and programmes.
He described journalism as an essential pillar of democracy, noting that constructive criticism and diverse opinions help governments refine policies and deliver better services to the people.
“The responsibility of any sensible government is to provide a means of disseminating information to the people. Journalism enhances good governance because different opinions help us see the right direction. Our collective responsibility is to move the state forward for the benefit of our people,” the governor said.
Radda also urged journalists to remain committed to ethical and responsible reporting, particularly as Katsina continues to confront security challenges.
According to him, the media has a crucial responsibility to promote peace, enlighten the public and avoid reports capable of undermining unity or slowing the state’s development efforts.
“We have security challenges, and the role of the media is very significant in enlightening the public. We must avoid anything capable of hindering the growth and development of our dear state,” he added.
An emotional Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Yusuf Ibrahim Jargaba, described the governor’s gesture as a lifeline for journalists, recalling that the chapel’s previous bus—donated during the administration of former Governor Aminu Bello Masari—had become too old to cope with the demands of daily assignments.
He said the poor condition of the vehicle had on several occasions prevented correspondents from attending important government functions, limiting timely and comprehensive news coverage.
“Our previous bus has served us for about 10 years and has become very old. Sometimes we could not attend important activities because of its condition. With this new bus, Insha Allah, wherever you go for official engagements, we will be there to provide coverage,” Jargaba said.
He thanked Governor Radda for what he described as a demonstration of confidence in the media and assured him that members of the chapel would continue to uphold professionalism, fairness and accuracy in reporting events across the state.
The donation is widely seen as a significant boost to media operations in Katsina, providing journalists with improved mobility to report government activities, developmental projects and issues affecting communities across the state.
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