By Fatimah Seriki
The Nigerian media has been charged to be strategic in portraying the image of the country to the outside world.
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, gave the charge in Ilorin on Wednesday, at the grand finale of this year’s press week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kwara State chapter.
Just Event Online TV reports, that Ajakaye argued that it is time for the Nigerian media to adopt strategic national rebranding to project the good and positive aspects of the country to the international community.
“Let us be strategic about what we publish about our country even if we must hold the government accountable.”
Speaking with Just Event Online TV, Kwara Commissioner for Communications , Hon. Bolanle Olukoju admonished Journalists in the State to see themselves as patriots with an equal stake in the State’s development by writing reports that positively project the corporate image of the state.
Speaking on 21 days untimatum given Kwara Governor by RATTAWU, she said talks have started with the government and the leadership of RATTAWU to settle the issues raised.
The Commissioner further said that her Ministry remained committed to fortifying the bond with the media practitioners in the state.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman Kwara NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Mallam AbdulHakeem Garba described the media as a powerful tool with the ability to shape public opinion, disseminate information, and influence social, cultural, and political dynamics within nations.
He therefore reminded journalists to continue to uphold professionalism especially at the critical decision making time facing the nation.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the popular Salon ‘Hairsense’ Ahmad Lawal who co-sponsored the Award of Excellence to outstanding members of the Chapel tasked journalists in the state to join hands with the government in rebuilding the Nigerian nation by disseminating positive information about the country, especially to the youth who according to him are of productive age.
Awards of Excellence were presented to the trio of Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Rafiu Ajakaye, Executive Chairman of the Kwara Internal Revenue Service, KWIRS, Shade Omoniyi, and retired Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi.
Past Chairmen of the Chapel and some outstanding members were also recognised.
