241,091 PVCs so far collected in Sokoto – REC

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Nura Ali has admonished Nigerians and the people of the state to be rest assured of a free, fair, credible and acceptable exercise in the forthcoming general elections.

Nura who spoke, Saturday, at a Congress organized by the Sokoto State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) also divulged that a total of 241,091 Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) has been collected in the state.

Represented by the Commissions’ HOD Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Muhammed Albania Takai, the REC further noted that 24,254 PVCs are uncollected, 75,789 reported transfers out of which only 66,600 are successful with 9981 unsuccessful.

While noting that unbiased media is very important to having credible elections in every clime, Nura confirmed that they are ready for the polls, pointing out that they have received all the 3991 BVAS machines for the 3991 polling units in Sokoto.

According to the REC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sokoto state branch has received all the sensitive materials, just as the Commission has deployed non sensitive materials for the general elections to the respective local government areas in readiness for the forthcoming general elections.

The REC, who urged journalists to be factual in their reportage, said they have recruited 16,000 ad-hoc staff in the state for the general elections.

“Let people continue to appeal to these people that are engaged to do the right thing for Nigerians. And on our part, INEC is doing its best to have a transparent election and be rest assured that your votes must count,” Dr Nura vowed.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State NUJ chairman, Dalhatu Safiyal Magori said the congress will remain another important milestone in the collective struggle of journalists towards ensuring better service delivery for practitioners, the state and country at large.

Delivering his goodwill message, Abubakar Shekara, a Special Assistant to governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal urged Journalists to concentrate on what is wrong and not who is to be blamed. As this, according to him, will help in bringing solutions to the endemic systemic challenges confronting Nigeria.

“Blaming individuals might be sensational, but looking wholistically at the rots in the systems will help all of us. Journalists have great powers and with that comes great responsibility hence the need to use it with all sense of honesty, modesty and fairness to all,” he appealed.

On his part, Dr Sale Ibrahim, the Executive Chairman, Sokoto State Media Corporation admonished journalists to see themselves as partners in the business of building the society by reporting what will bring about the desired change for the benefit of humanity.

“My appeal to fellow colleagues is that, within the context of developmental journalism, they should always strive to ensure follow ups that could guarantee positive change for the overall interest of all”.

On his part, a former NUJ chairman, Muhammad Abdullahi Sokoto and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Tambuwal tasked journalists to be mindful of their calling, adding that it is service to humanity and not a profession to enrich themselves.

“We as watchdogs of the society seem to have gone asleep hence the many rots ongoing in the society. We have a public trust on us, and we have to execute that trust with uttermost honesty, dignity and modesty,” he stressed.

Also speaking at the congress, the immediate past chairman of NUJ in the state, Comrade Isa Abubakar Shuni harped on the essence of maximum welfare for practicing journalists.

This, according to him, is one of the basic requirements for effective dedication to jobs, hence, non-sustained provision of enhanced allowances to members could possibly render them vulnerable to unnecessary waves of brown envelope syndrome.