Ojudu Tasks Journalists On Human Rights Promotion, National Devt

Former presidential aide, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has called on Nigerian journalists to continually distinguish themselves as anchors of progress and development of the nation.

The veteran journalist-cum politician said this could be achieved by the men of the pen profession by working hard to promote the rights of the people rather than pursuing self-aggrandisement.

Ojudu, who blamed journalists for focusing too much attention on corruption and maladministration to the detriment of human rights, spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, at the  2025 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council.

Speaking on a lecture titled, “Role of the Media in Changing the Narratives of Democracy Prospects in Nigeria – Ekiti Perspective”, the former lawmaker who represented Ekiti Central Senatorial District, urged the government at all levels to extend hands of fellowship to journalists, whom he described as upholders of democracy.

While lamenting the unrewarded, difficult and life-threatening roles being played by media practitioners in entrenching stable democracy in the country, he said it was regrettable that journalists in Nigeria are not getting commensurate appreciation in return for risking their lives to make democracy work.

“Without the courage of journalists, the country would have been derailed. This is because journalism is the midwife of our democracy.

“Journalists must be respected and rewarded for their good deeds for democracy. We must not only report the scandals, but also highlight the positives. Journalists must say the truth; you must praise and condemn when necessary.

“If you must make a mark in journalism, do not aim to pursue money at all costs and by all means. Journalism does not sentence you to pursue money or make you to be drenched in utter poverty. Look for other decent means of getting money without necessarily having to fall into the hands of those looking for you,” he said.

In his address, Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, hailed the chapel for their constructive reportage of the government activities, appealing to them to engage more in the area of balancing.

Oyebanji, represented by his special adviser on Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, called on media practitioners across the state to embrace factual dissemination of news that would establish peace and harmony.