Lifestyle

Makinde Urges Journalists to Sustain Public Trust

By Web News 269

By Bello Fasilat

Fact-checking will not only ensure the credibility of information but also sustain public trust in journalists. 

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stated this at the opening ceremony of 2024 Press week of Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ Oyo State Council held at Dapo  Aderogba Hall, Press Center Iyaganku Ibadan. 

Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal said journalists needed to interrogate issues, most especially the ones affecting people before they are transmitted to the public.

Governor Makinde, citing the lingering issues in the ongoing local government autonomy noted that media professionals as the Fourth Estate of the realm should be alive to their responsibilities by being accountable and transparent.

Chairman of the occasion, who is also former Nigerian Ambassador to Philippines and Cambodia, Ambassador Yemi Faronbi called for true federalism to give room for adequate local government autonomy in the country. 

Ambassador Faronbi applauded Governor Makinde for his leadership style and commitment to the welfare of citizens in the state.  

In a remark, former Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu emphasized the importance of true federalism for solid local government autonomy in Nigeria. 

Senator Sunmonu, who said during her tenure as Speaker, she pioneered the process towards the autonomy of local government and the state House of Assembly, affirmed that the country would achieve the desired local government autonomy when relevant sections of the 1999 constitution are amended. 

In a goodwill message, Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaiman Olanrewaju stressed the need for journalists to be constructive in their criticism.

Earlier in an address of welcome, Oyo State NUJ chairman, Chief Ademola Babalola congratulated  members of the union for this year’s Press Week, urging them to always abide by the ethics of the profession. 

Chief Babalola also expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for his support to NUJ since his inception as Governor of Oyo State. 

The event featured presentation of awards to  Governor Seyi Makinde who is the Grand Patron of the union, Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, Senator Monsurat Sunmunu and Amofin Beulah Adeoye. 

Other activities included cultural display and goodwill messages.

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Communication

Oyo NUJ Inaugurates New Hall

By Web News 654

By Taiwo Akinola 

Nigerian Union of Journalists Oyo State Council has inaugurated a new hall named Abib Olamitoye Hall at the NUJ press center, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

While appreciating the members of the fourth realm of the state, one of the facilitators, Comrade Alamide Olofin, said that it was a great pride to be part of the professional body, and prayed to God to continue to move Oyo NUJ to greater glory.

Also, the former national officer of NUJ, Pastor Lanre Ogundipe lauded the effort of the state executives for the new development, describing it as a good step and growth for the union.

In his speech, the donor, who is also the Medical Director of Ibadan Central Hospital, Dr Abib Olamitoye, gave kudos to the executives of the Oyo NUJ council and its members for finding means of making the union a better one. 

Dr Olamitoye who said that true prosperity comes from the mind, also implored members to cultivate the habit of reading as it enhances the positive mentality of the mind. 

In his remarks, NUJ Chairman Oyo State Council, Comrade Ademola Babalola said there would not have been NUJ without the support of the members, pledging that, he would continue to carry the members along in every affair of the union.

“Since December 18, 2019, when we were elected for the first term of three years as NUJ Executives and the renewal of our mandate in an unprecedented manner with no opposition and seamless transition for a record second term of another three years on October 8, 2022, today’s milestone of multimillion Naira Abib Olamitoye Centre gave me a great joy and sense of accomplishment”.

He appreciated the donor and promised to maintain and put the facility to good use for the uplift of the council.

“The NUJ Executive has deliberated on this great deal and unanimously agreed that, since the tradition of the Union was to always recognize and appreciate our donors, the project when completed should be named after this great man as a mark of respect. We then decided to name this building after him as ‘Abib Olamitoye Centre’. Not only that, Dr. Abib Olamitoye would soon be decorated with PATRON of our Union to join the league of other eminent Patrons of the Union including His Excellency the Executive Governor of Oyo State (our Grand Patron); Engr Dotun Sanusi (Our Patron); and a host of other elder statesmen.

“This building, to the glory of God will be henceforth known and addressed as ABIB OLAMITOYE CENTRE for the continuous propagation of the journalism profession and humanity in general”.

Comrade Babalola assured the members of the union of more notable projects that would make the council a reference point in the country.

“We commenced the second term and promised our colleagues that we will not rest on our oars; by consolidating on the gains of the past and also introducing new ideas and projects to make the Union self-reliant in the near future. We are presently working on some Developers to assist the Union in the area of PPP or BoT arrangement to get more facilities that would yield dividends for NUJ in the future”, he said.

Highlights of the event included free book distribution courtesy of Dr Abib Olamitoye.

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Politics

2023 Elections: Journalists Charged to Remain Unbiased

By Web News 465

By Fasilat Bello

As the 2023 general election approaches, broadcast journalists in the country have been urged to remain unbiased and exhibit professionalism in elections reportage.

Chairperson, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS Chapel, Miss Dupe Fehintola stated this at a lecture marking World Radio Day organized by the NUJ, Oyo State Council held at the Press Center, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Speaking on the “Role of Radio in Democratic Development”, Miss Fehintola explained that it was important for journalists in the industry to perform the role of a sensitizer that would enable the electorate to choose the right leaders in the forthcoming election.

She urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to uphold transparency and ensure the effective use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BIVAS, to checkmate electoral malpractices.

Speaking on the theme “Radio and Peace”, the Convener, Society for Journalism Enhancement Initiatives, Mr. Gbemiga Bamidele enjoined radio journalists to be patriotic in their content towards ensuring a peaceful nation.

Mr. Bamidele urged broadcast journalists in the state to comport themselves within the ambit of the code of ethics as enshrined by Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC code, and the NUJ to avoid conflicts.

Also speaking Chairman, NUJ Oyo State Council, Mr. Ademola Babalola advised journalists to adhere to the ethics of the profession before, during, and after the general elections.

Mr. Babalola urged media owners to improve the welfare of their staff for efficient service delivery.

The event which featured a Question and Answer session also witnessed the presentation of awards to veteran journalist and former governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Ladoja.

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