Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly has lauded journalists in the State for their effective media coverage and reportage of government policies and programmes in the last six years which has contributed immensely to the promotion and sustenance of good governance in the State.
Adekunbi spoke shorty after being conferred with an Award of Excellence as the ‘Most Outstanding Speaker in Ogun State since creation in 1976’, at the 12th edition of the Gateway News Update and Award held at the Press Centre, Iwe Irohin, Abeokuta.
The Speaker, who described effective media coverage and reportage with regards to two -way information dissemination as a catalyst for promoting transparency and accountability as well as other democratic ideals, positing that adequate and timely dissemination of government programmes and policies to the people had brought about an all-inclusive government that allowed for citizen participation.
He assured that the Assembly under his leadership would continue to partner with other arms of government in promoting conducive environment for media operators and other stakeholders to enhance good governance through the delivery democratic dividends to the people.
Adekunbi stated that the award was a challenge for him to do more as a part of the major stakeholders in the rebuilding mission as it would spur him to serve the State with greater sense of dedication, vigour and vitality, promising to sustain the tempo of governance in the State through the enactment of more people oriented legislations.
Earlier in her speech titled: “The Role of Community News Media in Urban and Physical Planning and Development, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, Mrs Yetunde Dina, called for the sensitization of the members of the public at ensuring due process in physical development plans.
Mrs Dina explained that Community media must foster a platform for public participation in Urban and physical development policy making framework where people’s opinions could be effectively communicated to the appropriate quarters to assist in the formulation of policies which would enhance the general welfare of the community.
She added that the media operators as well as urban and physical planning professionals must be complementary partners in designing a pleasant and serene physical environment for the benefit of the people
Others who received awards at the event include the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, the Permanent Secretary in Urban and Physical Planning Ministry, Mrs. Yetunde Dina and her counterpart in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Engr. Jonathan Onajobi, among others.
Packaged by Azeez Ayansola
