By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Coordinator of Post Graduate Programme, Department of Mass Communication and Media Technology at Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr. Bayonle Busari on Monday said journalists remained critical stakeholders towards nation building.
He lamented that despite role of journalists in shaping the society, the commensurate for their efforts has not be giving to them.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony/Lecture of the 2023 Press Week of the Correspondent Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, the media guru stated that no one become anything in the society without the media.
According to him, media practitioners must see themselves as an integral part towards the progress and development of the nation.
He said journalists must portrait themselves positively which will make people to respect them, recognize their role and accord them with their dues.
“No one become anything in any society without the media, so, why is it that the pot that cook the soup do not benefit from it? we need to assess ourselves before we can assess anybody, we need to review ourselves for people to respect us.”
“People are taking us for granted because we are taking ourselves for granted, we should see ourselves as an important stakeholders.”
In his address, the Chairman of Oyo NUJ, Com. Ademola Babalola said the chapel has continued growing since emergence of its new leadership, adding that with the Chapel which is the most vibrant among others, Oyo NUJ’s has brighter future.
Babalola stated that there is need to always remind political office holder their campaign promises which will be the yardstick in measuring their performance in office.
He urged government to priotize infrastructural development across the nation, and create enabling environment for journalists to thrive, saying journalists should be see as partners in progress towards the development and progress of the nation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, Com. Raji Adebayo said journalists as the voice of the voiceless and watchdog for the masses are saddle with the tasks of making political office holders accountable to the electorate.
He urged politicians, particularly political office holders at all level to deliver on their campaign promises, saying this is the only way dividends of democracy can get to the masses.
“Again, I will also say, in my own personal opinion, this policy of giving palliatives to the people, is just a political statement which is not really serving the need of the general populace, rather I will prefer that funds that are being made available for palliatives should be channelled towards infrastructural development such as roads, health, education and others that will be of benefits to all irrespective of our status.”
