Free Media Needed For Democracy To Thrive – Point Newspaper Publisher Says

…Without the media there is no democracy – Isiguzo

It has been asserted that for democracy to run smoothly in any country, the media must be truly autonomous and free to practice without any unnecessary restrictions or penalties.

This was as the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo urged the media not to shy away from its agenda setting role for the country to have the best crop of leaders come 2023.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Point Newspaper, Mrs. Yemi Kolapo while delivering a paper as a guest lecturer at the maiden edition of Radio Nigeria Bronze FM, Benin, Edo State Inaugural Lecture and Awards ceremony, called on media professionals to help in deepening democracy by accessing and making known to the electorate, the true personalities of would-be contestants in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

Mrs. Kolapo noted that media independence would be guaranteed if media organizations are financially viable and free from intervention of media owners; be it federal, state or individuals.

She also called on government and well-meaning Nigerians to assist in the area of capacity building for specialized and non-specialized news reporters, as a way of promoting constructive, unbiased and informed reportage of events.

She further said; “Here, we need the Government and other capable, well-meaning Nigerians to help in the way of capacity building for specialized beats and indeed all beats to ensure constructive, unbiased, informed reportage by media professionals.

“In the area of politics, I would like to commend the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for identifying this gap in specific beats and organizing a first-of –its-kind annual workshop for crime and politics correspondents and editors last year. Another one, I’ve been told, will hold in the next few weeks.

“If other Governors, elected officials and leaders in general, key into media empowerment of this kind, we would be helping to build a fairer society nurtured by confident reporters”.

In their goodwill message, Governor Godwin Obaseki represented by his Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Mr. Andrew Enwanta and the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun commended Radio Nigeria Bronze FM ably led by Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde for putting the inaugural lecture and awards ceremony together.

They expressed the belief that the quest for a better Nigeria would be achieved if the media rise up to its responsibilities of setting agenda and holding government accountable to the people.

Obaseki and Onobun restated their commitment towards providing an enabling environment for the media to thrive and achieve its aims and objectives in the state.

In his own remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Chris Isiguzo said the media has got several roles to play, stressing that it must be understood that the oxygen of democratic governance is the media.

Isiguzo said; “What it simply means is that without the media, there is no democracy”, he stated.

While saying that recent development has proven wrong the old adage that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, the NUJ president maintained that the media is now the last hope of the common man.

Also speaking, the president of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Ladi Bala expressed displeasure over the manner the bill that pertains to women matters was thrown out during the recent constitutional amendment at the National Assembly.

The NAWOJ president called on journalists to reawaken themselves to effective discharge of their duties, in order to ensure a better society.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Zonal Director of Radio Nigeria, South-South Zone, Mr. Lucky Obarein, appreciated awardees for their selfless service to Bronze FM and humanity in general and assured of the commitment of Radio Nigeria stations across the zone to maintaining professionalism in informing, educating and entertaining its listeners.

On her part, the host and General Manager of Radio Nigeria Bronze FM, Benin, Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde said that the FM station decided to embark on the annual lecture series as a means of impacting more on not just its immediate environment but the society at large.

Oyetunde said that while it is gratifying that democracy in Nigeria is gradually attaining an appreciable level, it is important to consolidate the gains of democracy by ensuring a strong press to drive efforts to greater heights.

Awards were bestowed on some deserving Nigerians that include the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was recognized for his developmental strides across the state, while the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Marcus Onobun was given award for his sterling qualities of providing stability in the assembly.

Other awardees included the Edo first lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; immediate past president, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Felix Omobudes; Ray Construction Company, Bishop Matthew Okpebholo; Member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and pastor James Chinwuba of Heaven Intervention Fire Ministry among others.

The Bronze FM inaugural lecture and Awards ceremony which brought together media professionals, politicians and other members of the society, provided opportunity for participants to take a closer look at how the nation had fared so far in her democracy and chart a new course going forward.