Don’t trade off your professional ethics, Abati tells journalists

A former spokesperson to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati, on Monday charged journalists to hold political office holders to account, and ensure they implement viable economic policies for national development.

Mr. Abati, who was a guest lecturer at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Correspondents’ Chapel 2015 Press Week at Iwe-Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said most economic policies of previous governments failed due to lack of dedication and sustenance on the part of public office holders.NUJ

He spoke on the topic, “Media and Economic Renaissance: Media as a tool for economic diversification”.

The former presidential spokesperson tasked journalists to always, through their reports, make public office holders to be accountable to the people since they are holding office in trust for the people.

Mr. Abati also observed that the lack of continuity of viable economic policies has not helped Nigeria, saying that the nation began to decline economically when it hinged its fiscal budget on oil market price, at the expense of agriculture.

He advised journalists not to trade off their dignity and professional ethics.

The event was attended by Niran Malaolu, Managing Director of Rock City F.M, Yemisi Fadairo, former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, NSCDC officials, State Chairman of NUJ, Wole Sokunbi, former NUJ chairman, Niyi Ogungbola, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, former NUJ zonal secretary, among others.