By Joy Salami and Victoria Okpanachi
Journalists have been urged to uphold truth, promote national unity and use their profession to foster peace rather than spread misinformation capable of fuelling ethnic and religious divisions in Nigeria.
The Resident Pastor of the Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN), Zonal Headquarters Church, Ganaja Junction, Rev. Phillip Alhassan, gave the charge during a thanksgiving service on Sunday, in Lokoja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Week.
He described journalists as the “watchmen of the nation”, stressing that their responsibility goes beyond reporting events to protecting the public interest and promoting a peaceful society.
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Rev. Alhassan urged media practitioners to remain committed to truth, accuracy and professional ethics, regardless of pressures that could compromise their integrity.
The cleric also urged journalists to use their pens to heal societal divisions rather than deepen them, encouraging them to promote issues that unite Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political lines.
He stressed that professional success should not be measured solely by career advancement but also by the positive impact of journalists’ work on society, urging them to consider the legacy they would leave behind after retirement. “Journalism is about the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” he said, while praying for God’s protection, wisdom and blessings upon the practitioners.
The Chairman of the NUJ, Kogi State Council, Alhaji Seidu Haruna, expressed appreciation to the church for giving the union the opportunity to hold its thanksgiving service successfully as part of its 2026 Press Week activities.
He commended the church for its hospitality and support, describing the opportunity as a welcome gesture that enabled journalists to gather in gratitude to God.
The thanksgiving service formed part of the activities lined up for the 2026 NUJ Press Week, providing an opportunity for journalists to give thanks to God, reflect on their professional responsibilities and seek divine guidance as they continue to inform the public, hold those in authority accountable and contribute to peace and national unity.
