The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, has charged online news publishers to keenly verify and balance their stories before publishing them.
Barrister Lawal gave the charge during his speech on Thursday when the South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) paid him a courtesy call in his office in Ibadan, the capital city of the state.
SWEGOP is made up of online publishers from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti states. Members of the group came together to promote professionalism through self-regulation and provide a wider reach through multiple professionally managed online media outlets.
The Acting Governor who described prompt publication of news stories as being sacrosanct with online media, disclosed that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration would continue to engage journalists to further propel development in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the group, Mr Olayinka Agboola said the essence of the visit was to congratulate Barrister Bayo Lawal on his appointment as the Deputy Governor of Oyo State.
While commending the Engineer Seyi Makinde-led administration, Mr Agboola said the government should look into environmental and security challenges in the state. His words:
“It is a thing of joy to me and members of the South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) to be here to pay this visit to your respected office.
“I am more elated because the visit has given us that ample opportunity to congratulate you personally on your emergence as the new Deputy Governor of Oyo State. We sincerely appreciate what Allah is doing in your life. Congratulations sir!
“Of course, we also must salute His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of the state for shopping for the right peg to fit into the appropriate executive hole as represented by you sir. May Allah be praised!
“Your Excellency, distinguished guests here present, as you already know, SWEGOP is supposed to be made up of online publishers from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti states. Oyo State is dominant because of our pedigree. Civilization started from the state having recorded so many firsts including journalistic excellence.
“Ultimately, SWEGOP members came together with the aim of promoting professionalism through self-regulation and providing a wider reach through multiple professionally managed online media outlets.
“One of our major value-adding engagements is our SWEGOP BREAKFAST sessions. We use the platform to offer opportunities for our guests to interact with online publishers in the Southwest of the country. This affords guests to sell their ideas and achievements through the strong platform. We are hopeful that one day, you will graciously agree to be our Guest sir.
“While saluting the administration of Engineer Seyi Makinde for the successes achieved so far in terms of provision of infrastructures especially the remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium, Motor Parks and road construction, we must not fail to point the government’s attention to the issues of refuse disposal and that of INSECURITY. We are not oblivious of the fact that the Federal Government has its own giant share of the blame, Engineer Makinde’s government still needs to be more pragmatic in this respect.
“As far as we are concerned at SWEGOP, all we need is unconditional recognition of our association. We are prepared to further partner your government as you work hard to take the state to the greatest heights. Without being immodest, we have the fastest and the most efficient platforms for you to reach your audiences. This fact cannot be contested. As we are interacting with you, images of our presence here are already online. Thanks to our ‘fast-fingered’ members.
“Before I take my seat, Your Excellency, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen here present, kindly permit me to mention it here that our major challenge in Nigeria is lack of fear of God and general lawlessness. If we can all check out ourselves individually and collectively, we will realize that disregard for decency as depicted by the principle of Omoluabism (as propagated by our forefathers) is a major factor destabilizing and impeding our progress as a nation. Not religion. Not even political affiliations.
“May it please you to know Sir that the solution or the decision to solve this problem lies on you, our elders and leaders. When you lead and lead with sincerity of purpose and fear of God, we will all follow.
“Thank God for us in Oyo State, the pace setter state – our State Anthem is all we need to think about and this assignment of re-orientating us will be easy. Asiwaju ni wa, and emi a se ohun ti o to to dara ni igba gbogbo ni ibi gbogbo fun Ipinle Oyo.”
Packaged by Olawale Awe
