The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to ensure the training and retraining of journalists to curb fake news and fake news.
Sanwo-Olu made the call at the inauguration of the renovated NUJ Lagos Secretariat and presented the Grand Matron Award to Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, Founder, Love of Christ Generation Church C&S.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajayi was honored for moving in the construction workers to take over the renovation of the secretariat project from 30 percent and build it to completion.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, stressed the need to go back to basics to preserve the profession of journalism.
“We all have to go back to the drawing board,” he said.
The governor expressed his concern about the infiltration of the media profession by untrained practitioners who dominate social media and publish comments as columnists, thereby increasing misinformation and disinformation.
Sanwo-Olu called for the training and retraining of journalists to ensure good reporting of news and events in the country and congratulated Lagos journalists on the renovation of the building.
The President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Chris Isiguzo, also called on journalists to use their reportage to promote the development and unity of the nation during the 2023 general elections and beyond.
Isiguzo thanked the former Chairman of the board of NUJ Lagos, Mrs. Funke Fadugba, the immediate past Chairman, Dr. Quasim Akinreti, and the incumbent, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, for their contribution in the purchase and remodeling of the secretariat.
He also thanked the Lagos State government for its financial support to the project and commended Rev. Mrs. Esther Ajayi because of her generosity took over the construction from 30 percent to completion.
“We have decided to name the Ladi Lawal Press Center conference hall after you,” he said.
The President, while presenting the Grand Matron Award to the pastor’s mother, said that the union, in the past, used to rely on government and institutions for support, but they have changed their narrative.
He said he had given journalists a suitable building to give him a “unique sense of identity”.