By Saheed Ibrahim & Roseline Okakah

Experts have described the roles of the media in combating socio-economic situations in Ondo State and Nigeria by extension as uncontestable.

The experts spoke at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo Council public lecture, in commemoration of the 2023 NUJ Week celebration, themed: “The Place of Media in Times of Socio-Economic Predicaments and Ondo State Politics”.

While describing media practitioners as endangered species, they said the independence and non-bias of the media can help redirect the tides of things in the country.

One of the guest speakers, Engr Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said with the current economic situation in Nigeria, the media are expected to enlighten the people, who are ignorant of what to do and why.

He decried the low number of patriotic Nigerians, saying the economic situation in the country had turned many Nigerians to ‘Yes sir, Yes ma’.

Oyedele berated the government for not putting the needed force in place to tackle several problems in the country.

Represented by Rev. Gbenga Awe, he said the media have the responsibility of serving as the bridge between the people and the government.

He added that the media must be the mouthpiece of the people and also relate government plans to the public, putting biases aside and upholding the ethics of the profession and the interest of Nigeria at large.

He said the fate of Ondo State lies on the media as the media determines the image, perception and concerns about Ondo State.

“We should be balanced. We should be truthful and we should do proper investigations and provide solutions. We should be able to speak the truth to those in government without mincing words,” he stressed.

While appreciating President Bola Tinubu for wading in Ondo’s political impasse, he stressed that the media have roles to play in ensuring peace and tranquillity in the Sunshine State.

He said media practitioners should be concerned about the general wellbeing of the people rather than anyone bankrolling their reports.

In his lecture, Abayomi Sheba said the media today is fraught with a lot of inconsistency.

He questioned the neutrality, sincerity, independence and responsibility of the media in the current socio-political situations in Ondo State and Nigeria in extension.

He said the system of government in Nigeria does empower the press with the independence to speak truth to power.

Represented by Prince Henry Akinrinboya, he described the media as an endangered species, noting that media practitioners are being hunted whenever they try to uphold the truth.

He stressed the need for the media to be rid of biases and become independent.

Speaking, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Evangelist Muyiwa Asagunla, congratulated the NUJ on the yearly event.

While acknowledging the rising inflation in the country, he said President Bola Ahmaed Tinubu would turn the situation around for the best for Nigerians.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu acknowledged Ondo Journalists as the most vibrant, thanking them for serving Ondo people diligently.

In his address, the Ondo NUJ Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite noted that 2023 is the most difficult time for journalists in Ondo State considering the state’s political situation, commending his colleagues for upholding journalism ethics.

While praying for the quick recovery of Governor Akeredolu, he appealed to the political class to put the interest of the state first as preparation for the 2024 governorship election commences.

Earlier on Monday, the NUJ visited an orphanage home in Akure  where the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite commended the good work that the staff of the orphanage are doing in taking care of the children.

According to him, “One can feel it from their faces because children don’t know how to pretend. If they are not being fed, they will just sit somewhere and look sad.

The Supervisor of the home, Mrs. Folashade Aduloju  expressed gratitude to the union for their kind gesture and for providing for the needs of the children.