Acting Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal, has called on media practitioners, particularly online journalists, to promote developmental journalism.
He made the call when he received representatives of the South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in his office and urged them to always endeavour to publish verified and balanced new items and feature stories.
SWEGOP is made up of online publishers from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti states who came together to promote professionalism through self-regulation and provide a wider reach through multiple professionally-managed online media outlets.
The acting governor, who is also a legal practitioner, said online journalists are important members of the society, adding that the timeliness and promptness of sending out information distinguished online media from conventional journalism.
“I appreciate your coming together as a group of online publishers which gives rooms for regulations of media practices and contents,” he said.
He assured that the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration will mutually engage members of SWEGOP and urged them to always advise and call the government attention to issues that bothers on the wellbeing of the people and development of the state.
“Our doors are open. We will always welcome your ideas and constructive criticism. We expect a symbiotic relationship that will serve the interests of the state and its people,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman of SWEGOP, Mr Olayinka Agboola, said the essence of the visit was to congratulate Chief Bayo Lawal on his elevation to the deputy governor of the state.
The SWEGOP chairman saluted Governor Seyi Makinde for shopping for the right peg to fit into the appropriate executive hole, as represented by Chief Lawal.
He commended the Governor Makinde-led administration on its achievements so far in terms of provision of infrastructures, especially the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium, motor parks and road constructions across the state.
Mr Agboola however urged the state government to take more proactive steps and tackle enviromental issues and security challenges in the state.
“We are not oblivious of the fact that the Federal Government has its giant share of the blame, but Governor Makinde’s government still needs to be more pragmatic in this respect,” Agboola noted.
The SWEGOP chairman attributed the major challenges confronting the country to absence of fear of God and general lawlessness.
“If we can all check out ourselves, individually and collectively, we will realise that disregard for decency, as depicted by the principle of Omoluabism (as propagated by our forefathers), is a major factor destabilising and impeding our progress as a nation. Not religion; not even political affiliations,” he saidd.
The SWEGOP chairman however assured the acting governor of continued partnership with the Governor Makinde-led government “as you work hard to take the state to the greatest heights.”
