By Ejike Agbata
The Youth Wing of the Anambra State Council of Town Unions (ASTUC) on Thursday took its campaign for stronger values and responsible citizenship to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, in Awka.
Speaking during the NUJ Congress, the ASTUC Youth President, Comrade Ken Okoli, said the visit was also to express solidarity with journalists and acknowledge the important role of the media in shaping public opinion and holding leaders accountable.
Okoli said a society without clearly defined values could easily fall under the influence of those in power, stressing that citizens remained the most important component of any society.
He said ASTUC Youth was promoting 12 core values which it believes should define every Onye Anambra: fear of God, patriotism, self-reliance, discipline, life, truth, liberty, justice, community, dignity of labour, religious and ethnic tolerance, and love.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at producing responsible role models for young people, particularly at a time when the state is stepping up efforts to discourage illicit means of making money.
Okoli said the group also hopes to promote the values widely and ultimately advocate their adoption as part of the state’s value system.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, welcomed members and urged journalists to prepare for the union’s forthcoming Man of the Year event and Press Week scheduled for September 3 to 10.
Highlight of the visit was presentation of copies of the Anambra Value System publication by Okoli to the NUJ chairman.
