November 13, 2015 – Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde has called on media practitioners across the country, especially those in radio and television organisations to sustain the collaborative efforts displayed during the reportage of the last general elections with their print counterparts by placing emphasis on good governance and promotion of unity in the socio-economic and cultural diversities of the country.
Speaking recently, at the South West Zonal Meeting of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Lagos, the commissioner challenged media practitioners to extend their collaborative efforts into areas that would be socio-economically viable and profitable to the people of South West of Nigeria.
He commended the critical and non partisan role of the media in enthroning the present government at the central, adding that, now that the desired change has materialised, there is an immediate need for the broadcast media to collaborate again to strengthen the nation’s democracy, cultures and beliefs of Nigerians.
He urged broadcasters to leverage on the multimedia nature of the television as against the print media in order to gain public confidence and add credence to their reports, stressing that the advantage of broadcasting should be used to promote national unity and cultural cohesion.
“The public will believe you than they will believe your print contemporaries because of the advantage of hearing voices and seeing the faces of those who speak the words that the print media writes. Your power of immediacy also ensures that you reach the mass of the people faster than the print”.
Speaking through Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr, Fola Adeyemi, the commissioner explained that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is committed to raising the bar by using innovation to make Lagos Television Station above its contemporaries within and outside the country and reposition it for greater development.
Ayorinde tasked media practitioners to be prepared for the implementation of the directive from the federal government to all media organisations to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting.
Earlier, the host of the Zonal Meeting and General Manager of Lagos Television, (LTV) Mr. Deji Balogun noted that, LTV had always been at the forefront of noble initiatives and a pace-setter since its inception.
According to him, LTV is the only state owned TV station that could be viewed on three different Cable Satellite channels namely: DSTV 256, Startimes 104 and CONSAT. And the only state owned TV station operating on VHF and UHF frequencies in the country but now on UHF Channel 35.
The outgoing Chairman of BON, South-West Zone, Mr. Ayinde Soaga, also underscored the need for members to always come together and share resources in order to achieve common purpose and objectives. He urged them to always establish contacts regardless of their locations and positions.
He expressed the belief that gatherings similar to this would further foster professional mutuality among stakeholders, provide avenue for exchange of ideas and experiences on improving broadcasting across the country.
The Executive Secretary of BON in the zone, Mr. Segun Olaleye, urged media practitioners to always think and prepare for life outside broadcasting.
