By OLATUNDE AJAYI
IBADAN- Journalists in Oyo State on Tuesday stormed major roads in Ibadan, the state capital, on a 10-kilometre Road Show/Walk tagged: “Walk for Life”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Road Show, which took off from the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, was part of the activities marking the 2022 NUJ Press Week.
Kitted in a customised white T-Shirts, with background light music, journalists took the walk through Iyaganku, Dugbe, Adamasingba to Mokola Roundabout through Sabo to Onireke, Agbarigo, Dugbe Post Office, back to Iyaganku and ended at the Press Centre.
Commenting, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said that the walk was aimed at creating awareness for those who live in the less cities and outside the state capital about a week-long activities of the union.
Babalola said that the Road Show/Walk was to also demonstrate the physical fitness of members of the union.
He said no fewer than 100 journalists took part in the Road Show walk, adding that the turn out of the journalists was encouraging as it demonstrated the spirit of oneness in the state council of the union.
Babalola commended members for the support and show of love toward the current leadership of the union.
He urged members to always pay close attention to their health and always engage in regular exercise.
Babalola said that the union would continue to organise the fitness exercise every year.
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state had on Monday advised journalists to be impartial in their reportage of political activities ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Makinde, while declaring open activities marking the year 2022 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Week,
through his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, said the media hold the key of moulding the minds of the public positively or negatively toward the conduct of the election.
Theme of the week long event is: “Violence Extremism and Prospects of The 2023”.
According to him, research shows that elections in the past were bedeviled with violence which must be avoided in 2023 general elections.
“Journalists have special duty to sensitise all stakeholders in the election process on how to achieve a peaceful election in the country,” he said.
Makinde said that the 2022 Electoral Act has addressed some of the problems associated with voters’ accreditation and other issues that normally trigger elections violence in the past.
Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Olawale Albert, the Dean, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan, said that journalists as critical stakeholders in election process must encouraged issues based politics like developed countries.
He said that the main challenges before the media as 2023 election approaches will be to set-up the game and be conflicts sensitive in news reporting.
Albert urged NUJ members to bring voices from different media outfits in the state together.
This, he said, was to ensure that their platforms were not use to cause violence during election,.
According to him, journalists should to let the political parties and politicians be aware of the institutional frameworks that must be followed to reposition the country.
Also, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, a former Governor of Oyo State and Father of the Day, assured Nigerians that the country would experience violent-free elections.
According to Ladoja, journalists must dig deep as 2023 election approaches to bring out truthful fact to educate the public so as to move Nigeria forward.
He called on journalists to be responsive and responsible in making politicians to respect their oaths of office.
Babalola, in his opening remarks, said that the week- long event would feature lectures, fitness road walk and awards presentation among others.
The occasion witnessed the inauguration of N30 million Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at the NUJ Press Centre premises.
Meanwhile, another Public lecture on “Rescuing Nigeria From Its Abductors”,
would hold on Wednesday at Dapo Aderogba Hall Press Centre, Iyaganku by 10.00 a.m.
It would be delivered by Dr Oludayo Tade, a Sociologist at the University of Ibadan.
The NUJ chairman said that there would be a Family and Veterans’ Day, Thursday by 2.00 p.m at the Dapo Aderogba Hall Press Centre Iyaganku, with Special Recognition and Appreciation of some past Union Leaders during the celebration.
Babalola said that the Grand finale would hold on Friday with Jumat Service between 1.30 p.m and 2.30 p.m at Idigbaro Central Mosque, Ologuneru Ibadan.(NAN)
