By Anthony Ojo
Local government Information Officers have been charged to embrace developmental journalism as a way of bringing development to the rural areas.
The General Manager, Radio Nigeria Progress FM, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Dokun Ladele gave the charge while delivering a lecture at the 2020 triennial conference of the local government Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
Speaking on the topic “Local government Information Officers; vehicle for developmental journalism” Mr. Ladele stressed the need for them to use their profession to affect the grassroots positively.
Represented by a Controller News, Reverend Bankole Oladeji, the General Manager said the information Officers who were working in local areas have the capacity to draw the attention of policy makers to issues affecting communities.
Mr. Ladele also urged them to improve their skills in order to function optimally as development journalists and project the image of their various local governments positively to the public.
A Guest at the forum, Mr. Wole Olujobi described local government information Officers as key stakeholders in publicising government activities at the local level.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Ekiti state Council, Mr. Rotimi Ojomoyela said the Union had witnessed tremendous achievements under his administration while calling on them to support the second term ambition of the executives.
At the programme, the information Officers conducted election to choose their new executives, where Mr. Ajibola Taiwo was elected as the Chairman, Mr. Osalade Oluwasola as the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Rotimi Olufunke- Secretary, Mrs Akinwumi Yewande- Assistant Secretary, Mr. Oluwwfemi Adewumi as the financial Secretary and Mrs. Omolara Oladija- Treasurer while Mr. Adesuyi Michael is the Auditor, all of them were elected unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of local government Information Officers, Mr. Ajibola Taiwo promised the readiness of the executives to prioritise the welfare and growth of members.
The out gone Chairman, Mr. Stanley Familoye appreciated the members for their support which made them to record success.
The local government Information Officers however passed vote of confidence on the Rotimi Ojomoyela-led executives of the NUJ in Ekiti state.
