…..We appreciate what Amotekun is doing to protect us —NUJ VP
The Corps Commander of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye has bagged BEST SECURITY CHIEF AWARD in the Southwest zone.
Akogun Adeleye who is also the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security matters and Chairman of Amotekun Commanders in the zone, received the Award during the first Annual Public Lecture/Award ceremony organized by the Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ, B-Zone which comprises Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Lagos States.
The ceremony held at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital were attended by the union’s leadership from the Zone, political class and media professionals.
Presenting the Award to Akogun Adeleye, the Vice President of the Union in the Zone, Comrade (Princess) Ronke Afebioye-Samo, said the honour was in clear recognition of uncommon leadership that was being provided by the Amotekun Commander in ensuring security of lives and property of the Southwest people.
The Vice President flanked by the NUJ Chairmen and Secretaries from the six states including Prince Leke Adegbite from Ondo State Council, noted that media professionals and indeed all the people of the zone are proud of what Ondo State Amotekun Corps as being backed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is doing to prevent unnecessary attacks on the region by bandits.
Comrade Samo urged Akogun Adeleye and his Amotekun men not to relent and ensure that the Award spur them to do more for humanity.
In her earlier address, the Vice President, had appreciated all chairmen and secretaries in the zone for throwing weight behind her to organise the maiden public lecture.
Responding, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye who dedicated the Award to Governor Akeredolu, his men and the media men for their support, vowed to do more to lead and encourage his officers to protect Ondo State and by extension the Southwest region.
Akogun Adeleye was represented by a Media Professional, Mrs Tola Gbadamosi and accompanied by the Amotekun Public Relations officer, Mr Victor Afinotan, to receive the honour for the Governor’s Special Adviser.
The Amotekun Boss, commended the media industry for projecting the security outfit on the Southwest to the world positively, adding that security operatives in the country need the media to successful tackle various security challenges.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information and former president of NUJ, Alhaji Waheed Odusile enumerated some of the achievements of his principal despite the meagre resources.
Governor Abiodun received NUJ Southwest Award as the Best Governor in Infrastructural Development.
Other dignitaries who received award of excellence among others are; Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, First Lady Ekiti State; the Chief Press Secretary to Osun State Governor, Comrade Ismail Omipidan; a Popular Gospel Artiste, Dr Yinka Ayefele as well as His Royal Highness, Oba Oladele Odugbemi, Olu of Lisa kingdom in Ifo LGA of Ogun State.
The Keynote Speaker who is a former Chairman of Ekiti Council of NUJ Akogun Tai Oguntayo warned journalists to be careful and not to be too overzealous while reporting during the forthcoming general election.
The Chairman of the occasion and award recipient, Dr Yinka Ayefele who is a popular musician, also cautioned journalists to be wary of dangers in the profession as they would be covering the 2023 general election.
Ayefele said, “You must not sacrifice your lives while doing your jobs because you want to capture the front page.”
The Guest Lecturer, Professor Shola Omotola, a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti in his discourse on the topic; “2023 General Elections and Electoral Issues in Nigeria: The Media Perspective”, urged media to always expose rots in the system and shun fake news.
According to Omotola, there are bit of freedom in the operation but it is determined by application of ideologies by media employers.
He condemned attitude of political leaders for casting blame on colonial masters on the country’s shortcomings instead of finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s various problems after 62 years of independence.
On electoral violence, the Scholar admitted that it’s escalating but media must educate the politicians the need to be peaceful during elections.
The Guest Speaker opined that environment of operation of media officers is a key factor in determining how the media will perform.
He therefore submitted that media employers must advocate for government of inclusion and regulate social media to avert violence in the society especially 2023 elections.
