The League of Veteran Journalists, Ekiti State Chapter, has decorated Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, as its Grand Patron, while calling for stronger collaboration between the media and government to promote accountable governance, responsible communication and sustainable development.
The call was made on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti during the maiden investiture of the Grand Patron and Patrons of the League, held under the theme, “Celebrate Service, Journalism and Legacy.”
The ceremony brought together veteran journalists, media practitioners, government representatives, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. The League said the investiture was aimed at preserving the history and institutional memory of journalism while promoting mentorship for younger practitioners.
Oyebanji, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, expressed appreciation for the honour, describing the relationship between government and the media as important to the development and public image of Ekiti State.
He commended veteran journalists for their contributions to the growth of journalism and their role in communicating government programmes and activities to the public, stressing the need for journalists to continue to report developments accurately and professionally.
The governor said the state’s security and development efforts were being supported by collaboration among government institutions, security agencies and the media. He also urged journalists to give balanced attention to government policies and programmes, noting that the media remained a major channel through which citizens assessed developments in the state.
Representing the governor, Oyebode said the administration appreciated the recognition and commended members of the League for their contributions to journalism and public communication.
He attributed the state’s security achievements to several factors, including what he described as the governor’s peace-building efforts, investments in security and the responsible role of media practitioners in reporting government activities.
He said, “I want to thank the members of the League of Veteran Journalists. Ekiti State has been recognised as one of the safest and most secure states in Nigeria, and this is not by happenstance. It is a combination of several factors.
“We have a governor who has created an enabling environment. He is a peacemaker himself, a bridge-builder and a champion of peace. We also have a crop of media practitioners who are very responsible and highly professional in the state.
“It is a combination of these factors. We have a working government that is building bridges and making huge investments in security and the safety of lives. At the same time, we have journalists and media practitioners who are ensuring that people know what the government is doing and are reporting the activities of the administration responsibly.”
In his address, Chairman of the League, Prince Kayode Oni, said the investiture was more than a ceremonial gathering, describing it as an affirmation of the League’s belief that experience matters, service deserves recognition and people who have contributed to society should not be forgotten.
Oni noted that many veteran journalists practised at a time when reporters worked with limited technological resources but were expected to maintain high standards of news gathering and reporting.
He said their collective experiences represented an important part of the history of journalism and public communication in Nigeria, adding that the rapidly changing media landscape, driven by social media, digital platforms and artificial intelligence, made the preservation and transfer of professional knowledge more important.
The chairman appealed to government, corporate organisations, public institutions, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to support the League in preserving the history of journalism in Ekiti and creating opportunities for younger practitioners.
He said veteran journalists had travelled to communities, covered political campaigns and public events, attended press conferences and worked long hours in newsrooms to meet deadlines, stressing that their professional knowledge should be passed on to the next generation.
Oni added that the League remained committed to journalism that was accurate, fair, responsible and conscious of its impact on society, describing the history of journalism as an important part of the history of society.
Other patrons inaugurated at the ceremony included the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba Stephen Alabi; Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority Governing Board, Senator Clement Adeyeye; Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ekiti, Oba Moses Ogundana; and former Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, was also recognised as a patron.
