The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kebbi State has responded strongly to comments made by Abdulwaheed Umar, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Umar accused the media of not adequately highlighting the achievements of the Kebbi state government, following his tours of various projects executed under the leadership of Governor Nasir Idris. His remarks were made during an NLC retreat and suggested that despite observable developmental strides, the media’s coverage has been lacking.

In a press statement issued in Birnin Kebbi, the NUJ chairman, Alhaji Kabiru Wurma, found Umar’s statements to be misleading and disrespectful towards journalists who have been actively reporting on the state’s developments. Wurma emphasized that the Kebbi media has been diligent in covering news that reflects both the successes and challenges within the state. He contended that journalists are not responsible for the perceived inadequacies in government publicity but rather have consistently provided a platform for reporting the realities faced by the Kebbi population.

This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between government and media relationships in Nigeria, especially regarding public accountability and representation of achievements. As the Kebbi government seeks to showcase its accomplishments, the effectiveness and integrity of local journalism are called into question, reflecting broader issues of media freedom and the role of the press in democratic society. The rebuttal from the NUJ serves to reassert the importance of a free press in promoting transparency and responsible governance.