Journalists

  Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde on Thursday charged media practitioners in the country to be alive to their responsibilities as watchdog of the society by keeping watch on the ruling party to prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling opposition. Governor Makinde gave the charge in his address at the opening ceremony of a 3-day retreat organised by the Press Corps of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters, held at House 11 Hotel, Jericho, Ibadan. “In Oyo State, we have a feedback system that enables the citizens to ask questions on all our activities. The platforms are regularly monitored and concerns are addressed as much as possible. Sometimes we tweak our decisions based on the feedback we get. We have emplaced a system of ensuring transparency in our operations as much as possible. “My administration established the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), which has the mandate to investigate cases of corruption and mismanagement of public funds. ” We also established the Project Monitoring Agency, which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the state gets value for its money. All of these are targeted at ensuring that as much as it is practicable, we run a transparent administration. Earlier In his welcome address, the Chairman of the PDP Press Corps, Samuel Ogidan noted that the tasks before journalists in the evolving political environment have never been more crucial and challenging than now.” Ogidan described Governor Makinde as a media-friendly governor who understands the role of free and responsible journalism in strengthening democracy, fostering transparency and empowering citizens. According to him, as journalists covering politics, we serve as watchdogs of democracy. Our responsibility is immense, and so are the pressures and obstacles we face. The fast pace of political events, the complexity of governance, and the shifting nature of public opinion demand that we stay sharp, informed, and adaptable. “This retreat provides the much-needed pause from our daily grind, giving us the space to reflect on our craft, sharpen our skills, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of journalism in Nigeria. “We all know that investigative journalism remains a cornerstone of political reporting. It is our responsibility to dig deeper and uncover the truth that is often buried beneath layers of bureaucracy and deception. “However, the resources and time needed for thorough investigations are often scarce. “During this retreat, we will focus on sharpening our skills in investigative reporting, learning new techniques, and how best to utilize available tools. We will delve into methods of fact checking stories, authenticating sources, and data to ensure that we remain the trusted voice our audiences rely on for political analysis and updates. “It is also important to note that social media has revolutionized how news is shared and consumed. While it provides an opportunity for us to reach wider audiences quickly, it also presents new challenges. During this retreat, we will explore how to use social media platforms responsibly to break news, amplify reports, and engage with readers while maintaining professional standards. “Our goal is that each of us leave here better equipped to navigate the challenges of journalism and continue upholding the values of integrity. accuracy, and objectivity in our reports. He urged participants to take advantage of the retreat for frank discussions that will open networking opportunities ahead. “This retreat is for our growth, our reflection, and our empowerment” he said In their goodwill messages, Assistant Director, Publicity of the PDP Press Corp, Richard Ihediwa and Mrs Gloria Thomas of the Voice of Nigeria, both lauded the initiative promising to make best use of the opportunity of the retreat to acquire new skills and develop better capacity for the task ahead.