By NewsBits
The Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah has paid a glowing tribute to the late veteran journalist, Sen. Anyim Ude , describing him as a disciplined statesman, who lived his life for the unity and progress of Nigeria.
Governor Mbah said this on Thursday at the memorial lecture of Sen. Anyim Ude, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Southeast zone of Nigeria. Governor Mbah said that the late Journalist and Broadcaster was a revered personality during his lifetime.
Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, advised journalists in the state to tow the footsteps of the late Ude by practicing the journalism profession with truth and nothing but the truth.
Also in her speech, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs Patricia Obila, lauded the organizers, NUJ, and family of late Ude for honoring the late respected journalist. Obila promised the family of Ude that the government of Ebonyi where he hailed from will not abandon them.
The guest lecturer, Mr Olu Akpata, former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), delivered a lecture on the topic: “Freedom of the press, fake news and the rule of law”. Akpata said there was the need for journalists in the country to live up to their responsibilities, especially in the area of investigative journalism.
He said that the socio- economic crisis in the country today demanded the intervention of journalists, lawyers, and the organised Labour. The former NBA President also said there was the need for closer relationship between journalists and lawyers as vanguards of the society.
He said: “There is a need for a healthy relationship between Lawyers and Journalists for Nigeria to move forward.” Akpata criticised the lack of investigative journalism and the take-over of media space by untrained citizen journalists who mastermind “fake news.”
Many important dignitaries including former Minister of information, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Prof. Elochukwu Amuchiazu and former MAMSER DG. In his response, the eldest son of late Anyim Ude, Mr Nnana Ude, thanked the organiser and journalists in Enugu State for honoring his late father.
He said that in appreciation, the family has instituted a N1 million award for the best investigative journalist in the country annually. He added that the award will commence from next year, 2024.
