By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe

It was really exciting for all the participants, as Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Saturday, bestowed a 'Special Award' on the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma. The prestigious honour came just few months of his assumption of office as the Imo State police boss.

The event which marked the grand finale of the Imo NUJ 2023 Press Week, took place at the new NUJ Press Center, off Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri,  drawing government officials, traditional rulers and captains of industry among others. The rare recognition from NUJ symbolized the appreciation of Imo journalists towards CP Danjuma's successes as well as serving as an encouragement for him not to relent in making the state safe for its inhabitants.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included: Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honourable Declan Emelumba; the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity Honourable Ford Ozumba; the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Institutions and Community Policing, HRM, Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke (CFR) represented by Eze Dr. Lucky Okoro; SA, Secondary Education Management Board Honourable Ezeala Akano among others.

In his address, the Imo NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwanguma, disclosed that the Press Week which is an annual event for Nigeria Journalists, provides opportunities for media practitioners to examine their activities, given their critical roles in promoting and upholding the values that ensure unity, justice and development in the society, adding that the purpose was to become more result-oriented. 

According to him, Journalists in the country also leverage the opportunity to undergo capacity building trainings towards achieving greater efficiency, as well as engaging themselves in various activities that rejuvenate the mind and body. He added that during the event, those who have contributed immensely towards the growth of Journalism and development in the society through diverse ways are honoured. He used the occasion and encouraged media practitioners to put into practice all they learnt during the exercise.

Meanwhile, the achievements of CP Danjuma within a short period in office, it was revealed attracted the award bestowed on him. Chairman of the Press Week Committee, Rtn Evarest Ezihe, said that the Imo State Police Commissioner who was also a guest lecturer at the event, has within few months in office, demonstrated uncommon brilliance and commitment tackling security challenges in the state. He emphasized that Journalists in the state are proud to be associated with the police boss in crime fighting, hence the need to honour him with the 'Special Recognition.'

Responding, the police boss who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Finance and Administration, ACP Edwin Mkpa, described journalism profession as critical to the wellbeing of any society because of the roles of practitioners in shaping the attitudes of the masses and keeping the public informed on issues affecting the society. According to him, realizing these noble responsibilities should motivate media practitioners to always be careful in selecting and communicating their contents for public consumption.

Dwelling on the Press Week's lecture titled: "Media and Nation Building; Insecurities: The Role of the Media," ACP Mkpa, however, regretted that the actions of some media practitioners, often deviate from the ethics of the profession, hence plunging the society into unnecessary tension and crises,  advising against such practices. He described the roles of the media as indispensable in the fight against crime and insecurity, referring to Journalists as critical partners to the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.

ACP Mkpa, further echoed the importance of using the event to promote and strengthen the synergy between the Journalists and security agencies in order to ensure safety in the state. He challenged the media practitioners to always put the overall interest of the society first in their reportage by shunning sensational journalism and political inclinations, but to investigate well. Furthermore, he posited that as the conscience of the society, media practitioners have the duty to follow up with cases being handled by security agencies in order to ensure transparency. 

Thanking the Imo NUJ for the honour and for contributing towards the success of police operations, ACP Mkpa, disclosed that CP Aboki, on assumption of office, understood the security challenges in the state, hence moving in quickly to arrest the situation. He promised that the Imo State police boss would stop at nothing, but to ensure that the state is safe for the residents, while reiterating the commitment of the Imo State Police Command to forging strong collaborations with the media and other security agencies towards overcoming insecurity and other criminal activities.

It would be recalled that CP Danjuma, received the Prestigious Award along other high ranking personalities in the society, including Senator Osita Izunaso; Senator Uche Ekwunife; HRH Eze Marcel Uzegbu; Engr Barr. Obioma Success Akagburuonye (Akaraugo Mbaise) the Publisher of Nigerian Horn Newspaper, High Chief Bright Njoku (Agunechemba) and Dr. Roy Kelechi Nwakamma among others.