Acting Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal, on Thursday , August 25, 2022, admonished online media practitioners to always endeavour to publish verified and balanced news and feature stories.
Receiving representatives of the South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in his office, Chief Lawal emphasized the need for media practitioners, especially online journalists, to imbibe developmental journalism, with the promise to have robust partnership with them.
SWEGOP is a body of online publishers from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti states who are for the promotion of professionalism through self-regulation and provision of a wider reach through multiple professionally-managed online media outlets.
Describing online journalists as important members of the society, the acting governor, who is also a legal practitioner, stated that the timeliness and promptness of sending out information distinguish online media from conventional journalism.
He added: “I appreciate your coming together as a group of online publishers which gives rooms for regulations of media practices and contents.”
Chief Lawal assured that the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration would mutually engage members of SWEGOP, urging them to always advise and call the government attention to issues bordering 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 Lawal on his elevation to the deputy governor of the state.
The SWEGOP chairman praised 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.”
