As the Osun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists celebrates its 2021 Press Week, the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has commended the media for their efforts at prodding governments at every level towards providing good governance and responsible politicking.
He also lauded how the media has professionally and responsibly conveyed the activities and programmes of his administration to the people in the last three years.
Oyetola, while speaking at the dinner and award night of the Osun Council of NUJ on Thursday, urged the media to continue to be partners and friends in his administration’s resolve to transform the economy of Osun and deliver improved and better life for its citizens.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, said the people and the State benefit more when the media perform their roles according to the ethics of the profession.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, has been a critical stakeholder in the building of the State of Osun since its founding and has performed its role as the organ statutorily empowered to hold government accountable in the interest of good governance and the people. I must thank you for the profound service you have regularly rendered to the State.
“Permit me to also deeply appreciate you for the cooperation and support you have extended to our Administration in the past three years that we have come into office. You are the reason the modest achievements we have had since coming on board has not been a mere wink in the dark. You have professionally and responsibly conveyed our activities and programmes to the people through your reportage.
“I must also note and appreciate your efforts at using your respective media platforms to set agenda for our State and the nation as part of efforts to prod government to provide good governance and responsible politicking.
“The State and the nation grow when there is a mutual relationship powered by statutory responsibility between the authorities and the media as servants of the people. It is on this note that I implore you to continue to provide professional services that make government responsible, responsive and accountable to the people in a manner that promotes democracy, good governance and the interest of the people.
“The people and the State benefit more when the media perform their roles according to the ethics of their profession. I therefore charge you to continue to apply the rubrics of truth, balance, probity and fairness which make your profession tick and the nation strong, especially at this period of economic downturn and crass insecurity.
“As the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the pulse of the people and governance, you must constantly prioritise the security and interest of the people so that you can fulfill you role as a critical stakeholder.
“Our Administration has prioritised inclusive and good governance since coming into office three years ago, and we are working hard to do even better. We are entrenching foolproof strategies to progressively stimulate and diversify the economy so that we can continue to seamlessly provide services in all the sectors in an equitable manner across the State.
“I urge you to continue to be our partners and friends in this avowed resolve to transform the economy of our State and deliver improved and better life for our people,” Oyetola said.
The event also recorded the conferment of honours on some distinguished citizens, which include Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, representing Osun Central Senatorial District; CP Wale Olokode, Osun Commissioner of Police, among others.
