A former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal College, Oye Ekiti, Professor Shola Omotola has tasked journalists in Nigeria to at all times communicate reality to energy.
He urged them to carry political leaders accountable for the stewardship if real growth should happen within the nation.
The college don spoke in a paper introduced at a retreat held by the Senate Press Corps at Keffi, Nasarawa State on Saturday.
Within the paper titled ‘Developmental Impression of the Govt on Nigeria’s Democracy, 1999 – 2024’, Omotola stated successive elected governments on the federal stage since Could 1999 have, by coverage formulation and execution, tried to impact growth throughout the sectors however failed within the space of poverty alleviation.
He opined that the shortcoming of previous democratic administrations to deal with poverty successfully has made the idea of democracy and the craving of the folks faulty through the years.
In keeping with him, the theme of the retreat, ‘Democracy and Improvement: How far, to date, for Nigeria?’, may be very apt, well timed and cogent.
He stated: “Democracy and growth are inextricably interconnected and should circulation collectively – the very motive why journalists in Nigeria want to talk reality to energy in making it so in Nigeria.
“Improvement is principally concerning the folks reaching an appropriate lifestyle, having the fundamental issues on which they should reside decently – housing, shelter, clothes, meals – nutritionally balanced weight loss program, potable water, clear setting, and so forth.
“All hindrances to those in Nigeria from corruption to dangerous insurance policies and so forth should be uncovered on occasion by journalists who’re the watchdogs of the society.”
Omotola nonetheless added that for Nigeria to have sustained the observe of democracy for greater than 24 years, whereas nonetheless remaining as an entity, present that growth would certainly comply with.
In his remarks on the retreat, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio represented by Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, APC Ekiti South, stated the Senate beneath his management wouldn’t deny any journalist entry to data for air flow to the bigger society as supplied for, by the Freedom of Data Act.
Additionally the Clerk to the Nationwide Meeting, Sani Magaji Tambawal, represented by Secretary, Analysis and Data, Mr Ali Umar, stated since democracy supplies a extra beneficial setting for growth, the administration of the Nationwide Meeting will proceed to offer conducive working setting for journalists, for very balanced and goal reportage.
