Idris Ahmed
13 November 2007
Abuja — African journalists yesterday met in Abuja to discuss strategies on the fight against governmental control and assaults on media professionals in the continent.
The opening ceremony was declared open by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua with them "Building a Strong and United Voice for African Journalists".
President Yar'adua urged African leaders to ensure the enactment and implementation of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) for the survival of democracy in the continent.
Represented by the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Ogar Odey, President Yar'Adua said "African continent must have a re-think by completely imbibing the spirit and tenet of democracy, by allowing the freedom of expression, association and promotion of fundamental human rights".
He condemned all forms of impunity against the media professionals, saying that his administration will not tolerate any violations against the media.
In a welcome address, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist Ndagene Akwu said the theme reflected the issues of trade unionism in media industry in Africa and said that African journalists will discuss obnoxious media laws in the continent and all forms of impunity against media professional: "All these are encumbrances that must be removed and immediately too, if African countries are to enjoy free and independent media.
"In most countries of Africa, journalists have become victims of a very intolerant system, victims of intolerant leaders and tyrants, leaders whose stock in trade is to amass wealth through dubious means, leaders who refuse to be transparent and accountable to the people of their respective countries. These sets of leaders will not allow a free and independent media to flourish.
"As pivots in the quest for attaining a sustainable development of our continent, African journalists must work in harmony to reposition their respective Unions and Associations to change the current dangerous tide of events that are threatening to sweep back the continent to the stone ages," he said.
The president gave the indication that the NUJ will bid to host of the next World Congress of the International Federation of Journalist (IFJ) coming up in 2010.
Those in attendance were the President of the IFJ, Jim Boumeiha, and the Senior Journalists' Trade Union Leader, Younes M'jahed, who is the Secretary General of National Union of Moroccan Media.
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