The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Lagos State Council Mr. Adeleye Ajayi has added another feather to his colorful cap.
Ajayi was honoured for his outstanding contributions to the pen profession at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) B Zone Public Lecture and Special Recognition of Outstanding Media Professionals, which held at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta on Thursday.
Other media professionals honoured at the event include Chief Dare Babarinsa, Demola Badejo, Chief Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Dr. Suliamon Olanrewaju, Chief Demola Babalola, Mr. Gbenga Ogunremi, Mrs. Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, Honorable Kayode Akinmade and Femi Adefila.
Ajayi described the Honour as the reward for hard work. He tasked journalists to be dedicated to the calling while urging media professionals to use their platforms to promote the growth and development of Nigeria.
” As Journalists, we should be seen to do what is right always, and must be ready to go a step further to always stand by the truth.
“Journalism is not an easy profession. One must have passion for the job if one must make a difference ” Ajayi added.
Former Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Information Demola Badejo, who was the Keynote Speaker, titled his address “Remembering our heroes past and celebrating our leaders”.
The Media Guru, applauded the founding fathers of journalism for their doggedness and commitment to the profession.
“No doubt we are grateful to the founding fathers of Journalism for impacting many lives positively in the media profession, which is why we can pass down down the acquired knowledge to the younger ones seamlessly.
“For journalism to continue to thrive, we must play our part as media professionals because the social media has turn everyone to a reporter, and to what extent will journalists continue to set the agenda?” he stressed.
Mr. Badejo affirmed that capacity building for journalists is key for media professionals to be able to dish out stories that can impact lives, and help develop our dear country. He added that the challenges confronting media were enormous including poor renumeration.
Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker of the event, Chief Dare Babarinsa, a renowned Journalist, lauded NUJ B Zone for staging such a thought provoking event.
He admitted that the economic situation of Nigeria had affected the media profession drastically.
“No newspapers in Nigeria has up to fifty thousand daily circulation as against the way it is in other climes such as Jerusalem, where the Jerusalem Times still circulates five hundred thousand copies till date.
Speaking further, he lamented that Nigerian readers are no longer glued to purchasing newspapers, which has become a major threat to the profession.
Babarinsa urged Media owners to invest more in training journalists from time to time because they stand a better chance to educate and inform the citizenry when they have deep knowledge of issues.
“Government involvement transformed the Nigerian media space positively in the past as schools and government agencies were being supplied newspapers and magazines on daily basis, but we no longer have that anymore” he stressed.
As part of efforts to rescue journalism from deteriorating further in Nigeria, Babarinsa tasked NUJ, NGE, NPAN, and BON to initiate moves that will restore distribution of newspapers to government establishments, while proposing life insurance for journalists.
Other Executive members of Lagos NUJ in attendance were Mr.Philip Nwosu Vice Chairman, Mr.Tunde Olalere Secretary, Mr. Olayide Awosanya, Assistant Secretary, Mrs.Adeola Akindele, Treasurer, Mr. Alaba Igbaroola and Mr. Gboyega Oni who are both Ex-Officio.