Various speakers at a one-day retreat and prayer organised and held on Saturday by the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ), Oyo State, agreed that journalists have a crucial role to play in national development.
This was as the dignitaries present at the event called on Christian leaders to empower Christian journalists with the needed resources to maximise their potentials.
Immediate past chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and always seek to promote peaceful national coexistence.
Pastor Akanmu, a regional superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ondo State, delivered a paper on “The Role of Christian Journalists In Ensuring Peaceful National Coexistence”.
The cleric said Christian journalists should be doing their reports, based on facts, especially given several factors currently militating against national peace.
He cautioned journalists, particularly of the Christian faith, to avoid financial inducements and always balance their stories.
Declaring the retreat open, Executive Assistant (Administration) to Governor Seyi Makinde, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe, called on relevant stakeholders to support the vision of the Christian journalists.
He identified Christian journalists as the conscience of the nation and advised them not to trade truth for money and always promote fair reportage.
Also speaking at the retreat, the state chairman of CAN chairman, Apostle Col. Joshua Akinyemi (rtd), described Christian Journalists as soldiers of Christ.
The retired military officer charged members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm who are Christians to maximise all available platforms to promote Christianity and good works.
He urges Christian journalists to intensify efforts to help churches to grow and promote partnership among churches through their activities. He also pledged the support of CAN to the cause of the NACJ, Oyo State.
In his welcome address, Chaplain of the Government House Chapel where the retreat took place, Pastor Layi Adisa, emphasised the need to pray for Oyo State and the nation at large, especially at such a time as this.
He said Christian journalists were called to make a difference and charged them to be shinning lights and good examples to the world.
Pastor Adisa urged Christian members of the pen-pushing profession to use journalism to help the helpless and regularly engage the leadership on critical issues.
Also speaking, Ibadan-based ace broadcaster, Reverend Niyi Dahunsi, said the virility of the journalism profession requires thorough research and fact-checking to avoid misinformation and stem crisis in the society.
Reverend Dahunsi, a panelist at the retreat, urged journalists to research and verify every information available to them in order to set good narrative in and for the country.
The Deputy Director (Programmes), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan Zonal Station, counselled Christian journalists to seek God’s directive on their lines of actions so as to stand out in the profession.
He cautioned against sensational reporting, stereotyping, partisanship, ethnicity and religious sentiments, adding that the duty of the journalist is to ensure justice and fairness for all.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Gbenga Ayoade, called for the empowerment of journalists to mitigate the current economic hardships and hazards of their job.
Comrade Ayoade, a retired Director of the state Ministry of Information, stressed the negative impacts of the removal of fuel subsidy removal on journalists.
He said many journalists are not receiving their salaries regularly, adding that some of them were unfairly sacked by their media organisations.
Ayoade, speaking at the retreat on behalf of a member of the National Trustee of the NUJ, Comrade Bayo Akamo, asked for support and assistance for journalists.
He emphasised that such support and assistance will enable journalists to fulfill their constitutional duty of providing fair, objective, and informative news to the public.
“These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in informing and engaging the public.
“In order to ensure the continuity of this vital role, it is essential that they receive the necessary financial support in these trying times,” he said.
Ayoade called for a fairer treatment of journalists by the society, and commended members of NACJ, Oyo State for their dedication to the profession of journalism.
In his opening address, chairman of NACJ, Oyo Comrade Lekan Sobowale, described the maiden retreat as historic and very important.
He appreciated the dignitaries that graced the event and emphasised that the association will thrive on the support of Christian leaders in the state.
