..donates brand new bus to Correspondent Chapel

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Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, freedom of expression and improved engagement with the media, pledging a more open, respectful and constructive relationship with journalists across the state.

The Governor gave the assurance while addressing media executives during a parley at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Akure, where he outlined his government’s philosophy on information management, accountability and collaboration with the press as partners in governance.

Reflecting on the early phase of his administration, which began in December 2023, Aiyedatiwa noted that misinformation and unverified narratives initially shaped public discourse, often creating tension between the government and the media.

He explained that strategic steps were taken to address the situation, including the appointment of officials to correct falsehoods and improve communication, leading to his first formal engagement with journalists in January 2024.

The Governor stressed that his administration would not suppress dissenting views, insisting that freedom of expression remains sacrosanct.

He said citizens and journalists are free to criticise his leadership, noting that such criticism provides opportunities for learning, accountability and improved service delivery.

While urging journalists to uphold responsible reporting, Aiyedatiwa cautioned against overreliance on anonymous sources, which he said can sometimes distort facts.

He emphasised that the government’s focus is on learning from media reports rather than pursuing unnamed individuals, and called for proper context in interpreting public statements, speeches and creative expressions.

Aiyedatiwa also pledged continued institutional support for the media, including addressing challenges affecting media organisations in the state.

He disclosed that the process of converting Owena Press Limited into a corporation is ongoing, adding that he had directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, to review the legal framework for the conversion, with the report expected to be submitted for further action.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, affirmed that the government had received tremendous support from the media and that the relationship had recorded both successes and challenges.

He noted that the purpose of the gathering was to thank journalists for their support in the outgoing year, adding that “even though we are not where we want to be, we are far from where we were.”
Adeniyan thanked the Governor for the support given to state-owned media organisations.

He highlighted the assistance his office has provided to the media community, including monthly stipends from the CPS’s office to nine media stations, as well as monthly digital infrastructure packages to all media houses, noting that it is difficult to reach over 500 journalists directly.

He also informed the gathering of the quarterly financial support provided by his office to the children and widows of late journalists.

He noted the increased government visibility across media organisations, evidenced by the consistent representation of the Governor at media-related events and the equitable distribution of advertisements among media outfits.

The CPS, while appreciating members of the pen profession for their continued support, urged them to uphold the ethics of journalism, stressing that the Ondo State Government remains committed to press freedom.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, also thanked the media for the support given to the administration so far.

He highlighted the Governor’s aversion to propaganda and the strict directive to government information managers to focus solely on promoting verifiable activities of the state.

He reiterated the Governor’s commitment to transitioning Ondo State from a civil service–driven economy to an industrialised one, as evident in the multi-billion-naira deep seaport project expected to commence soon.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, commended the Governor for appointing professional journalists as Commissioner for Information and Chief Press Secretary.

He appealed to the Governor to consider senior directors in the Ministry of Information for appointment as permanent secretaries.

Adegbite also appealed for the upgrade of Owena Press to a corporation and advised regular media engagement with the Governor to ensure timely updates on government activities.

Highlights of the event included the decoration of the Governor as the Grand Patron of the NUJ and the donation of a brand-new bus to the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel by the Governor, as requested by its Chairman, Tosin Ajuwon, during the meeting.