World Bank to grant aid via NEEDS
From Isa Abdusalami, Jos
T HE World Bank has said that it can only work with Nigeria if the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategies (NEEDS) is in place.
It said that rather, it will work with farmers and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) where it can establish a direct contact with them.
In a speech at the end of a five-day workshop on Investigative Journalism in Jos last weekend, Senior External Affairs Officer of World Bank, Mr. Obadiah Tohomdet, said: "If a state is not ready to work with us, we too will keep our resources".
He reminded the beneficiaries of the World Bank's good gestures and that the development is an on-going process.
Tohomdet said the World Bank has since learnt from its past mistakes from the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).
He also disclosed that the World Bank is adjusting itself to enhance its external image, stressing that the doors of the bank are open to whoever is ready to co-operate with it.
In a communiquZ at the end of the workshop, the participants urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to always intervene anytime a media house is in difficulties with government.
The participants also suggested that NUJ should pursue insurance cover for journalists, adding that journalists should not mortgage their conscience.
The communiquZ advised editors to stop self-censorship in their operations, adding that journalists should not allow corruption to interfere with their day-to-day practice. It also advised them should shun religious, political and ethnic bigotry in their practice.
The communiquZ, which was adopted by the World Bank Institute Consultant, Mr. Dejo Olatoye, urged journalists to be patriotic so that the interest of the country is not compromised.
It noted that the leadership of the NUJ is not responsive, adding that journalists should rally round their colleagues who are unjustly laid off in their organisations.
It stated that entry standards into the profession prescribed by NUJ should be enforced while journalists should update themselves from time to time.
