Osun commissioners pledge partnership with NUJ Online Chapel
The Culture and Land Commissioners in Osun State have assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Online Media Chapel of their willingness to work with the young organisation.
The commissioners also urged journalists to feel free to criticise their ministries constructively and wished the chapel success.
The assurances took place during courtesy visits paid to the ministries on Thursday in Osogbo by leadership of the Chapel headed by its Chairman, Mr Isa Isawade.
At the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Isawade introduced the Chapel as a professional response to the influx of unqualified online media operators, stating that its role is to bridge the gap between the public and authentic media.
He congratulated the Commissioner, Hon. Abiodun Bankole, on the recent electoral victory in the state and formally sought a working partnership with the ministry in promoting culture and tourism.
Responding, Commissioner Bankole, who noted he was scheduled to be in Ile-Ife for the unveiling of sponsors for the Olojo Festival, described online media as pertinent while lamenting that social media has become an all-comers affair.
He encouraged investigative journalism, citing his own experience of one-sided reporting, and charged the chapel with the responsibility of sanitising the online space.
Bankole attributed the administration’s electoral victory to God, commended INEC for conducting a free and fair process despite initial glitches with IREV. He distinguished the present administration’s people-oriented projects from what he described as unmaintainable projects of the previous government.
He added that Osun residents judged governance by proof of activities, not promises. He urged the chapel to be diligent, dedicated and to freely criticise his ministry where necessary, while assuring them of his full cooperation.
In his response, Isawade thanked the commissioner for the warm reception and assured him that the chapel would not disappoint Osun people.
Lands Ministry Assures Chapel of Partnership
At the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, the chapel chairman congratulated the Commissioner, George Bibitayo Alabi, and outlined the purpose, objectives and aspirations of the organisation.
Commissioner Alabi expressed appreciation to the chapel and commended PM NEWS and TheNEWS Magazine, titles the Chapel Chairman Isa Isawade represents in Osun, disclosing that he had been following the investigative stories regularly done by the titles, which he said had impressed him.
Mr Alabi assured the delegation of open access to himself and officials of the ministry, while welcoming constructive criticism and observations that could improve the ministry’s operations.
The commissioner also highlighted what he described as the highest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) recorded by the current administration in the state, attributing the development to efforts to effectively block leakages, reduce unnecessary expenditure and tackle corruption within the system.
Alabi spoke about the temptations associated with his office, revealing that he had received offers aimed at persuading him to bend rules or compromise established procedures.
He, however, said his determination to do what is right and maintain his integrity had remained his driving force.
The commissioner thanked the chapel for the visit and pledged his support for its activities and development.
He charged members of the chapel to remain diligent and dedicated to their duties, assuring them of his willingness to work with the organisation.