The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Peter Fagbohun, has called on broadcasters in Nigeria to device strategic means towards upholding acceptable standards of broadcasting, thereby bringing about the restoration of the art to the days of its glorious past.
Fagbohun, who stated this while delivering an address at the inauguration of the State chapter of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters and induction of new members into the society, affirmed that the establishment of the Society was a novel and noble initiative that will improve the declining quality and credibility of broadcasters in Nigeria, while protecting and enhancing the profession’s important role to nation-building in the country.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Adesina, the Head of Service bemoaned the depletion of standards in the industry, while challenging practitioners to live up to the aims and objectives of the society, by striving to ensure restoration of the fast eroding values which was all too prominent on the electronic media.
“It behoves on practitioners to think deeply about strategic means by which the acceptable standards of broadcast can be upheld and sustained, thereby ensuring a return to those times, when people stood up when they heard the sound of voices!” Fagbohun stated.
Mr. Fagbohun, while commending those at the forefront of setting up the society of Nigerian Broadcasters for their dedication and undaunting resilience, Mr. Fagbohun, congratulated the new inductees into the Society, admonishing them to avail themselves of the benefits of knowledge and experience accruable from the masters.
“Let me congratulate the professionals that are today being inducted into this great society, and admonish them to seek to tap from the masters, while striving to return this noble profession to its pride of place in society”, he counselled.
A keynote lecture on the theme, Broadcasting, Social Media and Information Integrity, was delivered by a veteran broadcaster and diplomat, Ambassador (Dr) Yemi Farounbi, who stated that broadcasters must be knowledgeable, and uphold the broadcasting culture of integrity, while striving to tell the truth at all times.
“Strive for fairness, impartiality, objectivity and balance in the discharge of your duties, your duty is to broadcast the truth, irrespective of the changes in the society”, the lecturer charged.
In a communique released at the end of the event, the society appealed to the state government to review the entry point of Grade 7 for HND Mass Communication into the State Public Service when their counterparts with the same requisite qualifications in Engineering and Accounting are absorbed on grade level 08.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates by the Olowu of Owu kingdom, Oba Professor Saka Mateminola, to the more than 30 new inductees, including some Directors of Information in the State Public Service, some General managers of public and private radio stations, Mr. Femi Kushimo, a retired Permanent Secretary in the State, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, the Immediate past general Manager of Nta Abeokuta and Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Yeye Seyi Aderinokun among others.