Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has charged Nigerian journalists to be objective and offer constructive criticisms in the course of their duties.

The traditional ruler, who spoke at the 10th anniversary of the Power Frequency Modulation Radio station in Bida, Niger State, noted that leaders would be guided in the right direction only when the media offer objective reporting.

According to him, the media have a very important role in the socio-economic development of the country, considering their noble role as the watchdog of the society.

He said the media should partner with government at all levels in order to make leaders serve the society better, adding that it is not good to always misrepresent facts to achieve personal gains and undermine objectivity. He stressed that journalists should realise that the common man rely on them for facts about happenings around them.

Also speaking at the occasion, former minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, urged support from the media so that Nigeria would achieve the needed unity, peace and harmony.

"We strongly need this unity if we are to continue to forge ahead as a united indivisible entity," Jerry Gana declared, warning that religion, ethnicity and political differences should not be allowed as obstacles to the advancement of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Niger State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Ahmed Bello, has said that the unbundling of the state Radio and Television Corporation is to ensure efficiency and effective management of information.

Bello said the existing laws used for the operation of the two media outfits were obsolete and needed amendment as contained in the two bills submitted to the House by the executive.

He spoke at the public hearing on the information sector in the state yesterday in Minna, saying the bills were sent to the House since 2008.

The lawmaker said the House decided to seek for the input of stakeholders so as to ensure that members gathered enough information to make laws that could enhance the performance of the state radio and television.