Akase tasks journalists on agenda setting for national development

As the international community observes this year’s “World Development Information Day” today, October 24 as declared by the United Nations, a 2023 Governorship aspirant in Benue State, Mr Terver Akase calls on journalists to show more commitment to reporting development oriented issues troubling the nation.

The Peoples Democratic Party guber aspirant commends journalists for their professionalism in ensuring that Benue and Nigeria is not lagging behind in development journalism, emphasising that development information is crucial to formulation and implementation of government policies and programmes.

Mr Akase who is the immediate past Chief Press to the Benue State Governor particularly enjoins members of the fourth estate of the realm, to step up reporting on the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taking refuge in various camps across the State as a result of incessant attacks by marauding herdsmen.

The governorship hopeful appreciates Governor Samuel Ortom’s unrelenting efforts in calling on the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to resettle the IDPs, who he expresses worry have fled their ancestral homes and are living under dehumanizing conditions.

The erstwhile government spokesperson describes as apt, the theme for the event this year which is, “Information and Communications Technologies — New Solutions to Development Challenges” stressing that ICTs are essential to tacking development issues in the 21st Century.

Mr Akase further emphasises that information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalization, and can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication, and social inclusion, which he says can help to expedite the integration of countries for global cooperation.

He tasks Non-Governmental Organizations in the development sector to work in synergy with journalists to strengthen the communication of development information for effective planning, policy formulation and execution of development centred programmes that will have direct impact on the lives of citizens.