Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has asked the trained journalists to urgently dominate the media space as part of measures to curb quackery in the journalism profession.
He clarified that the advent of digital technology neither undermine nor constitute obstacle to ethics in the media industry and called on practitioners not to join quacks who are out to destroy the profession.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who spoke through his Senior Adviser and Counselor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, at the grand finale of the 2025 Press Week of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, cautioned that press freedom was not a leeway to peddle fake news.
At the event, which had in attendance top government officials and Oloro of Oro Kingdom in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, Oba Joel Olaniyi Titiloye Oyatoye Olufayo II, the Governor said it was fundamental for any media outfits to eschew lending their platforms for misinformation and disinformation so as to continue to enjoy public confidence and trust.
Governor AbdulRazaq congratulated NUJ for its partnership with the state government in its vision to ensure that Kwara is one of the best governed states in the country.
He urged the professionals to take charge of the media space so that those who are quacks will not destroy our profession for us.
“Freedom for the press, in any way, is a not a license for misinformation, disinformation and fake news. It is on this note that I want to commend all our colleagues who stick to ethics of our profession in fact checking whatever that they come across before publishing, in ensuring that the people of Kwara State and indeed Nigerians are informed with accurate and veritable facts in their dissemination of information.
“It is important to know that digital technology in no way undermines the need for professionalism in news reportage. Digital technology does not constitute obstacle to practitioners to abide with ethics of our profession.
“In fact, part of the fundamental requirements and conditions that will enhance the public confidence and trust in any media organization is to make sure that at no time that individual media organization becomes guilty of fake news, misinformation or having a situation to retract what has been published. You are living witnesses to recent event and publication, which has been dismissed by the right authorities.
“In the history of Kwara State, by the consensus of all of you and the entire people of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remains the best Governor. As a matter of fact, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remains the best Governor that has brought into governance the highest number of journalists and media practitioners in Kwara State.”
The Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Titiloye Oyatoye Olufayo II, who also spoke at the ceremony, lauded professional journalists for always upholding the principles and fundamentals of journalism in their reportage.
He expressed concern over the manner with which fake news spread in the society, urging strict adherence to the rules of engagement.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of NUJ, ‘Lanre Ahmed Abdullateef, said the week was organized for members to rejoice, unwind, interact with one another and reflect on the journalism profession in the last 12 months.
He thanked members for their commitment and steadfastness in restoring the glory of the union.
Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the support the union has received from the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq and applauded the media team of the state government for their solidarity.
He pledged that members of the pen profession in the state would continue to discharge their duties patriotically and professionally while rallying behind government policies and programmes that promote development.
This medium reports that the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, the member representing Ilorin South Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Maryam Yusuf Aladi; the state Commissioner for Works, Engr Abduquawiy Olododo; and the Special Adviser to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Abiola Yunus Abdulkareem, were eminent citizens that bagged the awards of NUJ at the event.
At the ceremony that played host to the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah; the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Alhaji Bashir Adigun; the Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Kale Danmaigoro; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye; members of NUJ also returned home with various awards and cash gift.
