Government have been charged to prioritize the welfare and safety of journalists in the country in view of their importance to nation building as well as hazards associated with their profession.
The Cheif Imam of Amsardeen central mosque, Odo Otu, Ado Ekiti, Alhaji Abdullah Abdulmutolib made the call during Jumat service to mark the 2022 press week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Ekiti state council.
Alhaji Abdulmutolib maintained Nigeria government should emulate their foreign countrrparts that acknowledged and always conscious of the developmental roles being played by newsmen for the betterment of their nations.
He described as unfair, the situation where politicians in Nigeria will used journalists to achieve their electioneering goals without tending to their welfare after attaining power.
The cleric also used the gathering to admonished journalists to always be nonpartisan, unsentimental, objective and truthful in their reportage.
While speaking on behalf of the chairman of the Ekiti state NUJ, Mr Rotimi Ojomoyela, the chairman of the press week planning committee, Alhaji Yakub popoola said the union seized opportunity of the Jumat service to appreciate Almighty Allah for keeping members safe and healthy through the year.