Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has advised media organisations and practitioners not to allow themselves to be cowed or silenced while he lying to foster democracy and development in Nigeria.

Makinde, represented by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, gave the advice during a retreat in Ibadan on Thursday for journalists covering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat has “The Role of the Media in Fostering Transparency and Development in a Multi-party Democracy” as its theme.

Makinde said: “The media, as the society’s mirror and watchdog, must always speak truth to the power, hold government accountable, and keep the political class and other members of the society on their toes.

“The media must ensure that its platforms are not controlled only by those in power or those who have the wherewithal.

“Just like the public office is held in trust, the public space which the media controls is also held in trust for the people by media practitioners.

“Just as the public office-holders should not abuse the trust, media practitioners should not also abuse or misuse the trust.

“Development is a consequence of the pursuit of public interest. When all sectors of the society pursue public interest, there will be development.”

The governor added that for a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media owed the society the responsibility of keeping watch on the ruling party.

He said this was necessary to prevent the ruling party from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling opposition.

“Remember the French judge, Baron De Montesquieu, who warned that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

“It is, therefore, a key function of the media and a task that must be done that you prevent the absolutism of the ruling party or the majority party,” Makinde said.

He stated that the Oyo State Government had put in place measures to promote transparency, by regularly monitoring and addressing citizens’ concerns.

“My administration established the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYSACA), 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,” the governor said.

The event’s guest speaker, Prof. Adebusuyi Adeniran, a Senior Researcher at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, urged journalists to uphold the country’s democracy by being objective in their reports.

Adeniran advised the media to continue to uphold their constitutional role of holding government and leaders accountable for the development of the country.

In his remarks, Chairman of PDP Press Corps, Mr Samuel Ogidan, said the retreat would enhance the journalists’ skills.

“This is in the face of rising demands and complexities of reporting, as well as the evolving world of politics.”

Ogidan said the goal of the retreat was for the participants to be better equipped to navigate the challenges of journalism.

“This is to enable them continue upholding the values of integrity, accuracy and objectivity in their reports, especially in the digital age.

“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,” he said.

Ogidan, who said investigative journalism remained a cornerstone of political reporting, tasked participants to dig deeper and uncover the truth often buried beneath layers of bureaucracy and deception.

He commended Makinde for hosting the retreat, given his understanding of the role of free and responsible journalism in strengthening democracy, fostering transparency and empowering citizens.

The Press Corps Chairman described Makinde as a visionary leader with a passion for transformational governance, who has consistently raised the bar with distinctive innovations and inclusive approach.

“From infrastructural improvements to educational reforms, his leadership capacity has brought remarkable progress and growth to the people of the state,” he said.

Ogidan added that Makinde had also made significant contributions to PDP’s growth on the national stage.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)