Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara has urged the new President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Waheed Odusile, to make the welfare of journalists his priority.

The governor made the call in a congratulatory message to Odusile, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahaab Oba in Ilorin on Sunday.

Ahmed said that the role of journalists to national growth and development was critical and media practitioners should not be poorly paid.

"Just as it is done with other professions, journalism is too central for national growth and development to be left without adequate but commensurate remuneration, " the governor added.

He urged journalists to adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession and called on Odusile and members of his team to also be magnanimous in victory and embrace all-inclusive tenure.

The governor promised to create better enabling environment for journalists working in Kwara.

He commended journalists for the peaceful conduct of the election and commiserated with the former deputy president of the Union, Rotimi Obamuwagun, over the recent loss of his wife. (NAN)