Nigeria�S Ambassador to UN, Alhaji Bashir Wali has asked
African journalists in the Diaspora to propagate current efforts of the
continent to enhance development and peace.
Speaking at the opening of the National Association of
African Journalists (NAAJ) held at the Nigerian Permanent Mission, Wali said
the support of the media was needed to galvanise the people towards
political, economic and social reformation of African nations.
''The services of the African journalists in the US are
needed more than ever to mirror the hopes and aspirations, achievements and
contributions of Africans in the Diaspora in all fields of human endeavour,''
he said.
In apparent reference to some notable Africans making
strides in parts of the world, he noted: ''For too long, their achievements
and contributions have barely been reflected in the manistream media of host
countries.
''It is incumbent on NAAJ to correct this. But you must
do more; you must build bridges between Africans in the diaspora and those
in mother Africa to map out, promote, coordinate and pursue the overall
interests of the black race,'' he said.
He particularly enjoined African journalists to enlighten
their audience on the vision and objectives of the African Union and the New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
''Well-conceived plans at national levels and such unique
initiatives as the African Peer Review Mechanism (APR) should find a place
in your publications.
''Because they constitute the most practical
demonstration of Africa's embrace of democratic governance, accountability
and transparency,'' he added.
He also said Africa had faced many challenges in its
quest to attain the Millennium Development Goals.
The challenges include, HIV/AIDS pandemic, malaria and
other infectious diseases, as well as the crushing debt burden, pervasive
poverty, unfair multilateral trading system and increasing desertification.
''You should, therefore, endeavour to inform and educate
your readers not only on these, but also on the efforts African countries
are making towards the resolution of these problems,'' Wali noted.
The interim president of the NAAJ, Mr. Eobong Ita, said
the meeting was to fine-tune the legal basis of the organisation.
He then announced that the Howard University in
Washington, DC had donated a free office to serve as the national
secretariat of the group.
He also said the organisation, inaugurated in the U.S.
capital on August 7, had increased its membership from 60 to more than 100.
He added that NAAJ had set for itself the task of improving the image of
Africa, assisting students of mass communication and create a sense of
belonging for members.
