•Congratulates Oyo NUJ on 60th anniversary
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has urged journalists to uphold truth, fairness and professionalism in their reportage as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Makinde stressed that the media’s commitment to objectivity and ethical standards would be critical to ensuring credible elections and strengthening democratic governance.
The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made the call on Saturday, November 7, at the closing ceremony of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, held in Ibadan.
He also congratulated the union on its Diamond Jubilee, describing its 60 years of service as a testament to its resilience and contributions to democratic governance, public enlightenment and nation-building.
Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), urged journalists to remain committed to the public interest rather than the interests of political actors and parties.
“Elections come and go. Politicians come and go. Governments come and go. But institutions endure. The credibility of the media must outlive every political contest.
“Your allegiance must always be to the truth, the public interest and the ethics of your profession. Give every stakeholder a fair hearing. Verify before publishing. Inform rather than inflame. Educate rather than manipulate. Promote understanding rather than division,” he said.
The governor described professional journalism as indispensable to democracy, noting that the media must serve as a bulwark against misinformation, disinformation and political manipulation, particularly during election periods.
He observed that the history of the NUJ was closely connected to Nigeria’s democratic journey, with generations of journalists contributing to accountability, civic participation and responsible governance.
He paid tribute to the union’s pioneers, past and present leaders, as well as journalists who had made sacrifices in defence of press freedom and the public’s right to information.
“Sixty years is not merely a celebration of time. It is a celebration of relevance, resilience and service. It is a testament to an institution that has remained committed to truth, professionalism and public enlightenment through changing political, social and technological realities,” he added.
Makinde further noted that governments performed better when citizens were adequately informed, while citizens made better decisions when they had access to credible, balanced and professional journalism.
He also recalled Oyo State’s recent ranking as Nigeria’s most democratic state in the 2025 Democracy Performance Index released by the Kimpact Development Initiative and published by StatiSense, describing the recognition as an endorsement of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, inclusion and citizen engagement.
According to him, the recognition reinforces the importance of a responsible media in promoting democratic values, strengthening institutions and sustaining public trust.
“The greatest service the media can render to democracy in 2027 is not to support any individual, candidate or political party. It is to support the truth,” the governor stated.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining a relationship with the media based on openness, mutual respect and accountability, adding that government and the press shared the responsibility of serving the public good.
The governor urged journalists to sustain the values of integrity, professionalism, credibility and service to humanity as the NUJ enters its seventh decade.
He said the union’s next chapter should be defined by stronger ethical standards, deeper professionalism, greater public trust and an unwavering commitment to truth.
Makinde wished the NUJ, Oyo State Council, continued success, expressing confidence that it would sustain its contributions to democracy, accountability and national development.
