Journalists Reject Former NLC President’s Claim of Media Underreporting in Kebbi – Nigeria News Today
By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State – The The Bureau News has gathered that the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi State chapter, has firmly rejected allegations by former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), AbdulWaheed Ibrahim Umar, that the media has underreported the achievements of Kebbi State and its government.
In a statement issued to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the Chairman of the Chapel, Alhaji Kabiru Wurma, described Umar’s remarks as misleading and an apparent attempt to impress Governor Nasir Idris during his address at the NLC retreat held in the state.
NUJ Says Digital Media Has Amplified Kebbi’s Achievements
Wurma expressed surprise at the former NLC leader’s assertion, insisting that Kebbi journalists have consistently documented government activities across digital and traditional platforms.
“We were taken aback when Comrade Umar, while at the Presidential Lodge, claimed to have toured the state to verify Governor Idris’ achievements within barely three years,” Wurma stated.
According to him, the comment failed to recognize the transformation of journalism in the digital age.
“News stories are now published online and across social media platforms, with updates coming in real time. It is disappointing that such an uninformed statement was made, disregarding the extensive coverage of government initiatives by journalists in Kebbi,” he added.
The Bureau News reports that Wurma called on the former NLC president to retract his statement, noting that it undermines the credibility and efforts of working journalists in the state.
Reference to Current NLC Leadership Praise
The NUJ chairman recalled that during a visit to Kebbi on October 23, 2024, the current NLC President, Joe Ajaero, commended Governor Idris’ administration for its visible achievements.
“There is not a day when positive stories are not coming out of Kebbi State. We are proud of the governor for the remarkable achievements recorded within the first year of his administration,” Ajaero had reportedly said.
Wurma questioned why the former labour leader would make claims contrary to publicly verifiable media records, stressing that no major project executed in the state has gone unreported.
“We are in a digital era now — if you want to know about any project in a state, you can search for it online and confirm whether it was reported or not,” he said.
Media Integrity and Professional Standards
Industry observers note that media visibility today extends beyond print and broadcast into search engines, digital archives, and social platforms. Platforms such as Reuters and Bloomberg have similarly emphasized the centrality of digital distribution in modern journalism.
The Correspondents’ Chapel reiterated its commitment to professional ethics, balanced reporting, and accountability, affirming that journalists in Kebbi State remain dedicated to informing the public without fear or favour.
The Bureau News will continue to monitor developments surrounding the matter as part of its coverage of Nigeria News Today and evolving labour-media relations in the country.
