The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening town-and-gown relationships with tertiary institutions across the state.
The Chairman of the Council, Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, gave the assurance when he received the Professor of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Aniefiok Jackson Udoudo, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Bazia-Nsaneh said the present NUJ administration had prioritised collaboration between media practitioners and academic institutions to promote professional journalism, research and knowledge exchange.
He noted that the Council had maintained a cordial town-and-gown relationship with institutions in the state since the inception of the present administration.
According to him, while universities generate knowledge through research and academic activities, the media plays a vital role in communicating such knowledge to the wider society.
He explained that researchers investigate societal challenges, while journalists gather relevant information from the field and bring such issues to public attention.
The NUJ chairman expressed the Council’s readiness to build a stronger and more sustainable relationship with the University of Port Harcourt.
He particularly assured the university professor of the Council’s full support and participation in his forthcoming inaugural lecture scheduled for November 12, 2026, at the University of Port Harcourt.
The lecture is titled: “Newshounds: A Watchdog or African Hunter Dog.”
Earlier, Professor Udoudo commended the NUJ Rivers State Council executive for its commitment to improving the welfare and professional development of journalists in the state.
Describing the NUJ as his constituency, the professor recalled his years of professional journalism practice before transitioning into academia.
He explained that his visit was primarily to formally inform the NUJ leadership about his forthcoming inaugural lecture, which he said would address critical issues affecting the journalism profession, particularly the status, safety and welfare of media practitioners.
According to him, journalists are traditionally regarded as watchdogs of society but are increasingly treated as hunter dogs by the same society they serve.
He expressed concern over the treatment of journalists, alleging that security agencies were sometimes used to intimidate and mistreat media practitioners in the course of their professional duties.
Professor Udoudo expressed optimism that the inaugural lecture would stimulate meaningful conversations and provide practical recommendations for addressing the challenges confronting journalism in Nigeria.
He also called on journalists, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in Rivers State to attend the lecture, stressing the need for stronger collaboration, mutual understanding and respect among stakeholders in the media and security sectors.
The engagement further underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the media and academic institutions in promoting professional standards, public enlightenment and democratic development.
