On Monday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, and other notable Nigerians asked journalists to be more devoted to nation building in their reporting.
They made the request during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council’s annual Press Week in Ibadan.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the governor was named the Best Media-Friendly Governor in the 45-year history of the Pacesetter State.
Makinde, through Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, urged journalists to be more objective and professional in their reporting.
“I would like to encourage you all to be objective, fair, and balanced in your reports.” We are not suggesting that you support us, but rather that you report on issues.
“We should not report on feelings.” I am overjoyed, and we will treasure this award. “We will continue to do everything in our power to reposition our state for the better,” the governor said.
He claimed that his administration had fulfilled the majority of his campaign promises, assuring the public of better days ahead.
“By the time we finish the township roads, the economy in those towns will have improved.” I promised to reposition Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and we did it, making Oyo State the sole owner.
“Before taking office in 2019, our healthcare facilities were in a coma.” Over 100 primary healthcare centers have been established. Another 100 will be ready by the end of 2022.
“We promised and delivered on free education.” “We have also repositioned an unprecedented amount of infrastructure, including the opening of new roads,” he said.
Makinde mentioned Iseyin-Oyo Road, Moniya-Ibadan-Iseyin Road, and other township roads.
Sunmonu (APC-Oyo Central) promised to continue supporting journalists in the state in her remarks, claiming that the state would remain the country’s pacesetter.
“In any country, the press is the first point of contact. Whatever they say is what people carry with them wherever they go. “As your friend, I can assure you that we will always be there for you,” she stated.
Sunmonu also served as the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Chief Bamidele Samson, a businessman and NUJ patron, also urged journalists to continue writing in support of national development rather than promoting narrow interests.
“Journalists never retire.” You must become aware of the country’s challenges. As the Fourth Estate of the Realm, we rely on you to improve Nigeria.
“You are expected to attend events hosted by Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers.” When things aren’t going as planned, make the necessary changes. “Make good reports and publish them for national development,” he advised.
In a statement, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), urged union members to support the union’s executive in order for the union to achieve more of its lofty goals.
Earlier, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, the state NUJ Chairman, thanked union members for their support, saying that the union had accomplished great things despite the Coronavirus pandemic.
“By next year, we plan to be more aggressive in terms of journalist training and retraining.”
“In the last year, we were able to accomplish what we could not do many years ago.” I’m referring to the Journalists Estate.
“It is our legacy project, and we encourage more members as well as well-meaning Nigerians to subscribe for land in the Estate,” he said.
Brail Construction, Transcend Construction, and Lariken International College were among the other awardees, according to NAN.