2024 NUJ press week: We Are just spectators in the World– Dr Abbas Mimiko
By Exponent News.10th. December, 2024.
The Zenith Labour party Candidate in the just concluded Governorship election of Ondo State Dr. Abbas Mimiko has said that Nigeria as a country is just a spectators in the world in term of global development as the Nation could hardly boast of the advanced development in most of the economic sectors compared to those advanced countries. He disclosed this today at the ongoing press week when he spoke at the opening ceremony and symposium of the Nigeria Union of Journalists held at the Press centre in Akure.
Dr. Abbas Mimiko urged the public to give their support to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-for taken bold steps in carring out some reforms in the country. He said if the country must develop, that restructuring of the country is very important. He said that there was no state in the country that is poor and that what each state leadership needs was just a political will to unleashed their state potential to develop in all ramifications.
Speaking further, Dr. Abbas charged Journalists to promote good developmental works of the government to the good people of the country and also condemed bad governance since they are the conscious of the society. He asked them to educate the populace through their reportage and asked the people to shun the idea of vote and receive money if they want Democracy to bring development then the vote of the electorates must count. He also condemed weaponize poverty by the leaders in the country as this was one of the reasons why people are tempted in receiving money during voting.
Barrister Adu Olumuyiwa remarks
In the remarks of Dr. Barr. Adu Olumuyiwa when addressing the theme of the symposium, -setting the agenda amidst electioneering paradox and elusive economic development in Nigeria: The Media As the Fourth Estate of the Realm. Said government should take development of the state as priority. He advocated for employment of labour that would make people to be economically buoyant for the purpose of coping with the economic reality in the country.
While explaining, Barrister Adu opined that it’s not the best thing for the country to be talking of state of origin if actually we wants to live together and develop as a nation but state of residence was the best things for us to be advocating for. He also, advocated for exploration of the each state natural resources that would lead to the employment of the unemployed Youths as well as develop their State.
Similarly, he said in order for the country to overcome its corrupt practices, there should be a strong institutional structure that should be in place that would be very difficult for individual to manipulate as this was the only way that xould comb corruption in the country.
Senator AdeniyiI Adegbonmire
As for the Senator, who was represented by Barrister Taiwo Kayode, in his opinion encouraged media practitioners to exercise courage in the dissemination of information to the public even in the midst of adversities. He explained that since corruption, insecurity and lack of infrastructure framework are the problems of development in the country, Journalists should be courageous to addressed all these things when reporting to the public.
Speaking further, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire talked about objectivity and balancing of their stories any times they have course of reporting on issues that is of national interest.
He also talked about the challenges facing the journalists while carrying their constitutional duties to include harassment, intimidation , bullying and arrest in most cases. He said despite all these challenges, Journalists still performed their constitutional mandates to the public. He urged them to be focused, committed and followed professional ethics in their profession.
While, explaining, Senator Adegbonmire said above all, fact -Checking of the story before publishing and media engagement should always be their priority when reporting.
Hon. Abiola Makinde
The chairman of the occasion, Hon Abiola Makinde, Member of the House of Representative, Ondo East/West in his own opinion eulogised Journalists for their crucial roles in the nation. He said Press men are the Pillars and watch Dog of the society.
He advised the Journalist to continue to shape whatever what they need to do in ensuring that Ondo state remains great and that the state are blessed with great and intelligent leaders in the state.
In his conclusion, Hon. Makinde urged the general public particularly the good people of Ondo state to start encouraging the incumbent governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to do more as governance is not that easy the way they think. He said rather than condemning government they should rather be encouraging him to continue doing more good projects that would enhance development of the state.
Highlights of the programme include decorations of the chairman of the NURTW – Mr Comrade Ademola Odudu with an award of excellence as Distinguished Ondo State peace ambassador of the year 2024 by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State council.. The Leadership of the NUJ said the award was a clear testimony of his uncommon leadership quality and his capacity to lead well..
