The media has been described as an important agent of change; watchdog of the society that also plays the role of educating and entertaining its target audience.
Mr. Akinwale Abolumade a Punch Correspondent made the disclosure as a guest speaker during his address on impact of the press on democracy at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre Iyanganku, Ibadan Oyo State.
While presenting his paper on the occasion of June 12 anniversary organized by the NUJ Oyo State Council during the inauguration of Press Club for pen group of schools, Mr. Akinwale saluted media struggle in wrestling power from the oppressive military in Nigeria.
He posited that the press has played a vital role in restoring democracy in the country in 1999 during which some Journalists were brutalized and killed, while some fled the country. The guest speaker recalled Radio Kudirat, a media outfit involved in democratic struggle that operated from exile.
Mr. Akinwale summarized the roles of Nigeria media in restoring Democracy as criticizing military autocracy, exposing their vices and excesses. He added that the media had called for civil rule, engaged activists and alerted International Community on the reign of terror in the country.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the NUJ Oyo State Council, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun, called on Federal Government to immortalize Chief M.K.O Abiola the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Comrade Opadotun, while speaking at the inauguration of the pen club, posited that such inauguration became imperative in view of the need to sharpen and inject young blood into the media. He tagged the occasion as "June 12 inauguration of NUJ press club" to arouse young minds on the art of literary and debating activities.
Those present at the ceremony were the commissioner for Information Oyo State, Pastor Taiwo Otegbeye, Pa Felix Adenaike, the guest speaker Mr. Aboluwade Akinwale and a host of other important dignitaries.
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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
The media has lots of success story when it comes to things of Nigeria. Democracy in Nigeria hasn't been effective in many years..