“Continue being professional” – Ajakaye, Solace urge Guild of Digital Journalists

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye (MNIPR), has commended members of the Guild of Digital Journalists for being fair, moderate and professional in their reportage.

Speaking on Tuesday when the protem chairman of the association, Mr. Opeyemi Adeoti led other members of the association on a courtesy visit to his office, Ajakaye stated that members of the association have over the years upheld the tenets of professionalism and balanced reportage as enshrined in the profession.

“I want to thank you, all of you, for not just being professionals but also for not being extremists, we have professionals who are extremists. They are professionals but extremists. Whatever they are doing you can’t fault them professionally but you can fault them on whether or not they are sensitive enough to their environment,” he stated

The CPS who stressed the need for journalists to be fair and balanced in their reportage acknowledged that the role of journalists as watchdogs of the society can never be over emphasized.

According to him, “people in government are also human beings and are subject to the rules that governs human nature. When you have powers that are not checked, when you are not accountable to anyone there’s the possibility that debauchery will set in and you will misuse your power, it is natural with human beings that when nobody is checking you there is this tendency for you to want to go overboard but when there are checks and balances you will be more careful.”

In his remarks, the protem chairman of the association, Mr. Opeyemi Adeoti, said members of the association have remained a strong advocate of good governance and acted as a bridge between the government and the people.

In the words of Adeoti who is also the publisher of holisisticinfos.com.ng, “Members of the Guild of Digital Journalists are professionals in their own rights who have, one way or the other, had a prior stint with one main stream media organization or another before bringing their wealth of experiences into the digital space.

“The truth is that these people before you are bonded by integrity and professionalism. We do not believe in smear campaign just to get attention although we also understand that that’s the quickest way to get people’s attention but notwithstanding we stand on the side of integrity and professionalism.

“And like our immediate past President famously said; we belong to nobody and we belong to everyone.

We are committed to working with anyone who is ready to work with us. We are committed to verifying the source(s) and authenticity of anything that goes into our platforms because we have checks and balances within us,” he said.

Earlier, the editor of newshubmag.com, Rowland ‘Shuwa had clarified that the membership of the Guild comprises of editors, editors-in-chief and publishers of digital media platforms that are based primarily in Kwara and some neighboring states like Osun, Kogi, Lagos and others.

The protem secretary of the association and publisher of rextuncityupdates.com.ng, Mr Oyez Olatunde Rex on his part said the visit is aimed at seeking ways to partner with the present administration.

In a related development, the Senior Special Assistant, New Media to the Kwara State Governor, Mr. Olayinka Micheal Fafoluyi popularly called Solace has urged members of the Guild of Digital Journalists to strive to become brands that will become a force to reckon with not only in the country but internationally as well.

The SSA gave this advise when members of the association led by the protem chairman, Mr Opeyemi Adeoti paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Tuesday.

Solace who is also a member of GDJ noted that the number of online platforms in the state alone is more than all in the whole north central combined. He therefore urged members to utilize their numerical strength to further promote fairness and balanced reportage about the state.