Optimism, Hardwork, Dedication Remain the Fruition To Greatness- Aregbesola’s Former Aide
By Akeyinje’s Brother, Osogbo
The Immediate Past Special Adviser to Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of hardwork, dedication, commitment, untiring determination and as well be optimistic in all aspects of their daily lives as the route to achieve greatness.
Comrade Odunlade made the call while receiving a Distinguished Award of Alumnus of the Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The Former Special Adviser to the Governor who dedicated the award received to Almighty God and his family said he never thought of being honored in such a huge manner by the famour institution.
Comrade Odunlade who attributed the what he described as “academic honour” given to him by the University to the recognition of his contributions towards immense growth and development of Alumni Association of the university.
He called for the need to be hardworking, committed and dedicated to one’s cause or work, saying there is no doubt of being successful in life once one is focused and determined.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture titled ” The Challenges of Electronic Communications in Contemporary Nigerian Politics and Governance”, Comrade Odunlade called on the media practitioners to always uphold the ethics and principles of their profession in order to instill the confidence reposed in them by the public.
Comrade Odunlade who identified epileptic power supply as the major challenge militating against the improved electronic communications in Nigeria however called on the present Government to intensify an holistic measure to avert the incidence.
According to him, “The only way to be successful in life is for one to remain focused and determined in whatever one is doing as the road to success is always thorny and stormy.
“One can only achieve greatness if he or she doesn’t deviate on the path of total commitment and dedication to one’s target in life because those achievers are the products of determination.
“Basically Nigeria is getting more challenged in the area of power which is unfortunate and uncalled for in a nation that has the ability to generate adequate power that would successfully cater for the needs of her citizens.
“Electronic media can only function properly if there is regular and steady electricity supply as government owed it a duty to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply to Nigerians in order to improve the socio-economic activities in the country.
“Power is one of the most essential determinants of national development, hence, government must not in anyway derelict this responsibility at ensuring that Nigerians enjoy steady electricity supply in order for them to as well contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy and national development.
Comrade Odunlade however said there is the need for media practitioners to demonstrate high sense of commitment and self-denial as they remained the ultimate molders of the people’s opinions.
Earlier in his address while declaring the 2015 Faculty of Arts Guest Lecture Series/Award Ceremony Open, the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Bamitale Omole, said the lecture was purposefully organized to entrench an intellectual capacity and provide a platform for knowledge exchange.
Professor Bamitale Omole described the awardees as accomplished and distinguished Nigerians who had made, and still making giant strides in their different endeavours.
Professor Omole who expressed confidence in the successes recorded by the awardees, said the institution is always proud of their individual’s capacity and contributions to the general growth and development of Nigeria.
He said the University’s Faculty of Arts has carefully chosen the theme-“The Challenges of Electronic Communications in Contemporary Nigerian Politics and Governance” because of its relevance in all aspects of human lives.
According to him, “Our Awardees in the likes of Professor Ahmed Yerima, Comrade Biyi Odunlade and Otunba Gbolahan Nowoola are all accomplished and distinguished Nigerians who have contributed significantly and impacted meaningfully in the lives of many Nigerians in their different endeavours.
“Our topic for this Guest Lecture Series is very apposite at this critical period in the Nigerian political history in so many ways.
“Every sphere of our lives now is being shaped by electronic communications as payment of salaries is being done through electronic transaction; registration of courses and processing of results, registration and conduct of entrance examinations both at University Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and Post-UTME (UTME) are done electronically.
Professor Omole however called on government at the centre, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and National Assembly to intensify efforts and evolve laws that would support and fast track electronic voting system as being done in some parts of the world.
“I foresee a future where electioneering campaigns would be done electronically. Where elections would be conducted electronically as being done in other parts of the world.
“Hence, every progress loving Nigerian would need to embrace the offerings of revolution in the Information and Communication Technology as it hastens the process of decision-making and effective implementation of decisions”, he stated.
In his lecture, the founder of Splash FM, Ibadan, High Chief Adebayo Akande called on the media practitioners to maintain the status of being the voice and conscience of the people through factual and authentic news reporting and life-changing programming.
Speaking on the topic titled-“The Challenges of Electronic Communications in Contemporary Nigerian Politics and Governance”, Chief Akande stressed that a better climate for the media can only flourish and operate smoothly when the media understand the need to stand on the side of the truth and help people to chase charlatans out of power in order to pave way for the new breed.
He said there is the need for media practitioners to champion truth and fact as their operational guiding principles in making politicians and those at the corridor of powers accountable and responsible to the people.
He said the role of communication in the day-to-day activities of man’s life can never be undermined, adding that there is the need for media practitioners especially those in the electronic media to always be conscious of the content and context of their report.
He said, “Though power embedded in communication gives room for its providers to use it either positively to change the society or negatively for selfish interest.
“Oppressors who know the power of communication do everything to hinder it having understood that communication can go a long way to unite the people.
“Electronic communication involves every means of communication that thrives on the use of technology through interpersonal and mass communication achieved with the aid of electronic platform such as telephone, social media among others.
“Radio is adjudged the most popular means of communication that is not unconnected with accessibility and multitasking as a veritable means of information dissemination.
“There is need for media practitioners to understand the position and role that the media play in politics and good governance most importantly as an interface between the ruler and the ruled as they are expected to live up to their responsibilities in exposing rots in government.
“The challenges of electronic media are very numerous and inevitable as regards integrity, accountability, objectivity, coherence, transparency, balance and evenness.
“There is no doubt in the fact that political structure of Nigeria determines how electronic media swing and operate as this can be easily influenced either positively or negatively by the policies of government, while electronic medium that wishes to standout is besieged with inevitable series of problems.
“Challenges at times are positive catalyst that helps to building up a virile communication industry, while the major challenge is on how to carry out the professional reportorial in a politically polarized and volatile nation.
“The issue of ownership also contributes to the challenges facing electronic media organizations, hence, the political divide which an electronic medium organization belongs to usually determines the structure and competence of its editorial and reportorial tendencies.
“Editorial policies that are devoid of subjectivity and partisanship assist greatly on how government policies are related and analyzed.
Chief Akande therefore called on Mass Media Regulatory Bodies and Institutions not be a ready and willing tool in the hands of government officials.
He warned the media practitioners to come up with the media agenda that would facilitate unbiased news reporting, quality programming and progressive analyzes to influence positively in the lives of the people for general development.
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