Former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Commissioner for Information and Strategy-designate in Ogun state, Abdulwaheed Odusile, has called on Government and Nigerians especially those at the helms of affairs, never to hoard information from journalists as this may open up room for rumours and insinuations.
Odusile, who made this known in Abeokuta on Monday while fielding questions from members of Ogun State House of Assembly, during his screening said, “if you hide information from journalists, he or she will believe there is a skeleton in your cupboard and may decide to go to any length to bring out issues.
“Don’t look down on any journalist or underrate any reporter. Give him the right information and he would do his job professionally”.
Speaking on his intended efforts to improve on the fortune of the State-owned Radio and Television stations, the Commissioner-designate assured that he would do all in his capacity to address challenges facing the stations while affirming that the management and staffers of the stations were thoroughbred professionals who must be hugely supported.
Describing the news as a perishable good whose lifespan is just 24 hours, the Commissioner-nominee said, “we must dish outright information at the right time and feed the newsroom first to avoid rumours that would naturally fill the space”.
The journalism expert, who emphasised the importance of feedback and constructive criticism said, the information gamut of government would strengthen the existing system to ensure that facts and truths were always presented to the Governor.
Responding, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, appreciated the governor for putting round peg in the round hole and thanked him for revealing the ministries of the nominees ahead for effective questioning and screening.
