AMBODE URGES JOURNALISTS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday urged media practitioners not to relent in promoting excellence in governance and defence of the vulnerable in the country.
The Governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello at the 25th grand presentation ceremony of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, acknowledged that the media will continue to play a vital role as partners in propagating government programmes and policies.
He said the celebration of the 25th edition of the NMMA Excellence Awards attests that journalism and media practice thrives in Nigeria and would continue to be relevant in sustaining the ideals of democratic governance which include transparency and accountability.
Ambode informed that the present administration holds journalism and media practice in high esteem, because as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm”, it is the ombudsman that regulates the interaction and communication between government and the people.
According to him, media practitioners are like an unrepentant “watchdog” that fights for the rights of the oppressed and vulnerable in the society, adding that “For us in Lagos State, the stories and reports in the media have been a major source of feedback on the effectiveness of Government programmes and policies in addressing issues central to the wellbeing of the people”.
While noting that the State Government is proud that Lagos is undeniably the fountain of journalism practice in Nigeria, the Governor informed that virtually all the memorable events relating to journalism and media practice happened in Lagos State stressing that at a point in time, Kakawa Street in Lagos Island was acknowledged as the “Fleet Street” of Africa.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Media Merits Awards for keeping faith with the spirit of the founding fathers in promoting and recognizing excellence in the practice of journalism and public communication.
He disclosed that the seed sown twenty-five years ago to recognize various individuals who contributed to expanding the frontiers of journalism and media practice in Nigeria has confirmed the excellent performance of many journalists who rank among the best anywhere in the world.
“The decision of the leadership of the Nigeria Media Merit Award to reward identified “stars” annually is commendable because it is not an easy task to sift through the various contributions for the honour in a wide field that has so many invaluable players”.
Governor Ambode, therefore, congratulated all the recipients of this year’s NMMA for being considered worthy of honour and recognition in a wide field that boasts of so many talented and proficient practitioners.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande among others.