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Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council on Friday, December 18, 2020, honoured some notable professional bodies, both in politics and business to mark their Special 2020 Lecture/Award Night, at Continental Suites and Hotel, Ibara, Abeokuta.
Federated Chapel which is being led by Elhadj AbuSatar Idowu Hamed is a professional group of Publishers and Editors, of both the community newspapers and online publications in Ogun State.
In view of the past #EndSARS protest, the union felt that it was important to discuss the gains and loses of the crisis as it affects the security apparatus in the country and the media role at curbing fake news in the society.
Based on the assessment and deep knowledge as it stoodout, the chapel invited the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun alongside the Ogun State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Hamid Abodunrin, to examine the security situation after #endSARS protests and the role of media in curbing fake news.
In his keynote address at the event, CP Ajogun urged men of the pen profession to be ethical and patriotic in discharging their duties in the face of security challenges in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He advised the group to sanitise the journalistic profession by taking off the fake and unprofessional members amongst them with a view to build a formidable relationship with security agencies in nation building.
The Ogun State NSCDC Commandant, Alhaji Hamid Abodunrin in his own address also affirmed that the lack of adequate training and the influence of social media turned everyone to Journalist, which he claimed to have encouraged the spread of fake news within our society.
According to him, ”the ugly incident of the #EndSARS violence have made us to understand the fact of checking information as our collective responsibility. Social media is full of junks that need to be verified before sharing, and journalists need to have adequate training on what is real and fake news, and its security implications”.
Alhaji Abodunrin stated further that as gate-keeper, Journalists own the public right to a verified information, not a hearsay or cooked up story; saying, it’s unethical to publish unverified stories.
In the same vein, Hon. Kolawole Lawal (KLM) who’s representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency at the National Assembly in his assertion commended the leadership of Federated Chapel of Ogun State Council, for their proactive measures, saying the event is an indication that the body is awake to its professional responsibilities of public enlightenment and promotion of good governance.
According to him, “There is an urgent need for professional and organisational review of recent events to independently and objectively put everything in proper perspective and take steps to address the challenges. This validates, the fact that Journalists cum media practitioners are the change agents.
“It is of utmost importance that media practitioners must not forget the principles of professional ethics; adherence to the highest standards of professional conduct, ensuring impartiality and objectivity when dealing with others, open and honest communication with colleagues and clients, maintaining confidentiality in professional relationships, fulfilment to commitments in a reliable, responsive and efficient manner.
“Against this backdrop, it is pertinent and right that we examine the role of the media in curbing fake news in our society; you have commendably chosen the right persons as Speakers to do justice to these salient topics, the speakers are seasoned and experienced professionals whom, I have no doubt in my mind will perform beyond expectation”.
To round off the epoch event Federated Chapel also bestowed various awards to some notable personalities from within and outside Ogun State.
They include AIG Ahmed Iliyasu, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, Alhaji Hamid Abodunrin, Dangote Cement Plc (Ibese-Yewa), Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi, Chief Adewale Adesina, Chief (Alhaji) Waidi Haruna, Otunba Wasiu Jaiyeola Taiwo, Barrister Olubiyi Otegbeye, Hon. Segun Sowunmi, Chief (Mrs.) Ayinba Yemisi Fasawe, Hon. Barrister Taiwo Shote, Hon. (Mrs.) Atinuke Bello, Pastor (Mrs.) Omolola Oluremi Adeyinka, Mr. Dada Olanipekun and Mrs. Oluremi Olugbenro.
Others are Hon. Kolawole Mobolorunduro Lawal (KLM), Pastor (Mrs.) Omolola Adeyinka, Hon. Adesina Motun, Hon. Akintunde ‘Temitope Armstrong, Arc. (Dr.) Segun Aluko, Hon. Kehinde Ayodeji Bello, Dr. Tomi Coker, Dr. Adeola Odedina, Mr. Segun Babarinde, Iyalode (Dr.) Jackie Adunni Kassim, Alhaji Akeem Bodunrin (Iyeru), Alhaji Akeeb Titilayo Efele, Alhaji Olawale Adeboye, Venerable Samson ‘Kunle Popoola, Mr. Mufutau Ibiniola Bolanle Olalekan, Comrade Kayode Dimeji-Ayodeji and Comrade Wole Shokunbi.