Publisher lauds community newspapers for promoting culture

By Jimoh Ahmed
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Community newspapers have continued to play a great role in promoting and protecting our culture and traditions despite the odds facing them.

The Chief Executive, Owo’Made Communications, Elder Femi Olugbode stated this during the 15th edition of the anniversary, public lecture and award ceremony of Owo Voice Newspaper, a community tabloid based in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday.

Elder Olugbode who is the publisher of the newspaper said community newspapers havè been living up to the expectations of their developmental aģenda .

The Owo Voice publisher who also posited that the Owo based community newspaper has contributed immensely to the entire Owo speaking communities of Ondo State however said its great challenge  remained that of the recognition of its importance by the people either out of ignorance or deliberately and limited fund.

Earlier, while delivering the award lecture with the topic, Grassroot Development in Ondo State: The Imperative For Community Newspapers, the Guest Lecturer, Princess(Mrs) Florence Adedowole in her paper titled Community Newspaper And National Development In The 21st Century, described community newspaper as purely the newspaper of the people, by the people and for the people.

Adedowole posited that being a community newspaper does not mean it is a geographical thing.

She however called on the people of Owo to rise up and support the newspaper in its bid to make Owo great.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of awards on some distinguished indigenes of the town.

Some of the awardees included Chief Jamiu Ekungba, the Ekon Odo Agbara of Owo, the Chairman Board of Governing Council of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Mr Banji Alabi, Chairman, Ondo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Reverend Ayodeji Eniola and Chief Mrs Famulagun who happened to be the first woman to contest for an elective political position in Owo.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Chief Ekungba commended the publisher of the community newspaper for his efforts and the great roles the paper has played in the development of Owo .The ceremony was graced by important dignitaries from all walks of life among whom were a retinue of Owo Chiefs and Senior Omolowos who were led by the Ojumu of Owo, Chief Famakinwa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Owena Press Limited, publisher of The Hope newspaper, Sir Ademola Adetula who was represented by the General Editor of the Newspaper, Mr. Sina Ogunjobi and the Chairman of OSRC and Orange FM, Mr Kunle Adebayo who was also represented by Mr Akinwumi Abodunde.