For a rubost Propagation of Government Policies and programs leading to Economic Growth and societal Development, there is the need for synergy between the government and the media.
The a communication guru who is also the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege made this disclosure as media and communication experts converged on Ogun NUJ press Centre, Iwe iroyin, Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta for the maiden edition of the Ogun state Broadcasting Corporation OGBC Chapel NUJ lecture with the theme: Media as Agents of Propagating Government Policies and Development.
The royal father and other prominent media figures in their separate remarks harped on the need for the government at all levels collaborate with the media so as to enhance propagation of government policies and programs for economic growth and national development.
Describing Government and the media as husband and wife, the media professor says is key in the dissemination of government policies and programs.
He also stressed that accurate and responsible reportage of government initiatives would deepen public understanding, trust and confidence in government and as well involve in government programs and institutional development of the nation.
The head of Service cited Ogun State’s efforts in creating synergy with the media to promote investment, showcase development initiatives, and engage citizens.
In his remarks, the Ogun State Head of service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya,represented by the Permanent Secretary, Min. Of Information and strategy, Mr Waheed Adesina cited Ogun state government’s efforts at creating synergy with the media leading to the promotion of its programs and policies and earned the trust of the public.
The head of service while congratulating organisers for puting up such a befitting lecture to educate the public challenged other chapels to follow suit.
Delivering the lecture, the Dean faculty of social sciences Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago iwoye, Prof Dele Odunlami summitted that the media is a bridge between the government and the governed and without rubost synergy between the media and the government, it will be difficult for any government to succeed..
The communication expert who pointed out that government owned media are not captive media and should not be treated as captive media, and that they deserve all the respect and should serve as the authentic voice of the government on critical policies and tropical issues in the state posited that healthy relationship between the government and the media is the way to go in ensuring better society.
The university don added that government Media should be the first to break news report of any crutial issueof government in the state before any other media.
“He pointed out further that role and nature of the relationship between the media, government and other social actors in the society has always been the subject of discourse in the intellectual circles globally”.
Professor Odunlami emphasized that the mass media being the guard dog, the watch dog, the lag dog of the society and a critical agent of the society must be an agenda setter for the government.
He highlighted some benefits of a well-oiled media, including economic growth, investment promotion, tourism promotion, and economic stability, urging the media to continue partnering with government to drive growth and development.
Also speaking, the chairman of Ogun NUJ, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju commended the Ogun state Broadcasting Corporation chapel of the NUJ for organizing such a lecture which he described as a tool to sharpen the skills of both practicing and up coming journalists in their practices.
He thereafter urged his media colleagues to be up in collaboting with government by desceminating information about government services to the people for better and habitable society.
Appreciating the guests for the honour done on the chapel, chairman of the 2025 Maiden NUJ OGBC Chapel lecture planning committee who is also the former chairman of the chapel, comrade Abiodun Ogindipe reiterated the chapel’s resolve to continually setting the pase for public discourse especially the role of the media and the government to the society for every stakeholder to know his or her duties in the society as well performed them without hesitation.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Chapel, Chris Ogbu stated that the theme of lecture was chosen to awaken consciousness of the media professionals on the important role they must play in fast tracking development through their reportage.
