Ukori Urges Media to Uphold Truth, Accountability At Congress 5th Anniversary

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

The Chairman of the 5th Anniversary Celebration of Congress Newspaper, Amb. DCN. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), has charged media practitioners in Nigeria to remain steadfast in promoting truth, accountability and responsible journalism. Speaking at the anniversary celebration held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at TM Place Hotel, Airport Road, Warri, on the theme _”The Role of Media in Governance”_, Ukori congratulated the Board, management and staff of Congress Newspaper for attaining the five-year milestone.

He described the achievement as a testament to resilience, professionalism and commitment to credible journalism. According to him, the newspaper was founded to provide timely, truthful and balanced information, and has consistently lived up to that mandate through quality reporting, investigative journalism and impactful storytelling that have amplified the voices of the people and strengthened democratic values in the Niger Delta.

Ukori emphasized that the press remains the vital link between government and the governed, noting that citizens can only participate meaningfully in governance when adequately informed. He stated that beyond information dissemination, the media has a constitutional and moral obligation to expose corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement of public resources, while providing platforms for dialogue through interviews, public debates and community engagement. He added that the media also has an educational role to play by simplifying complex government policies, combating misinformation and disinformation, and fostering peaceful coexistence, especially in the Niger Delta where peace and sustainable development are critical. Looking ahead, he noted the rapid evolution of the media industry driven by technology and Artificial Intelligence, and warned that credibility has become the greatest asset of any news organization in an era of fake news.

He urged Congress Newspaper and other media houses to embrace solution-driven reporting, invest in training young journalists with ethical values and digital skills, and build stronger collaboration with government, civil society and the private sector to advance governance and development.

In his remarks, Ukori expressed appreciation to the founders, editors, reporters, photographers and all staff of Congress Newspaper for their sacrifices over the past five years. He also thanked advertisers, subscribers, partners and loyal readers for their support, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to remain fair, objective, courageous and constructive in promoting nation-building. Quoting Thomas Jefferson on the importance of a free press, he stressed that newspapers remain indispensable to democracy, justice and accountability. The event drew media professionals, government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society organizations from across the Niger Delta and beyond, as the chairman officially declared activities marking the 5th Anniversary of Congress Newspaper open.