Ex Kogi Gov. Idris Charges Journalists to Shun Sensational Headlines

By Ola Simon, LOKOJA/ Journalists in the country have been urged to be objective and avoid sensationalism in their reportage.

A former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris made the appeal in a message to the fiftieth birthday of a former Senior Special Assistant to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State on Public Enlightenment, Deacon Adeniyi Bada and the fourteenth Anniversary of the Public Newspaper in Lokoja.

He described the celebrant as a man with dogged determination to succeed and urged him to sustain the tempo.

Earlier the Chairman of the occasion and proprietor of Al – Azahar International College, Doctor Habeeb Yaqeen expressed gratitude to the guest for honouring the invitation and congratulated the celebrant on his success story.

In his lecture titled ” Citizen Journalism and the Safety of Nigeria Federation, the Guest Speaker who is also a lecturer at the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Ibileye extolled the value of  journalism which has contributed to the growth and development of the nation right from the precolonial period.

He described citizens Journalism as a grassroots or participatory information dissemination among non professional noting that the development which has been greatly assisted by the use of internet facilities has helped in the struggle against oppression.

He maintained that the overwhelming desire of Nigeria is to build and strengthen its institutions, hence the need for citizens journalism.

Similarly, the Member Representing Ijumu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Victor Omofaiye commended the celebrant for the demonstration of love to his kinsmen and promised to support him.

Highlights of the event were special prayers for the celebrant, launching of the special edition of the Public Magazine, and the conferment of awards on eminent personalities including Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Captain Idris Wada and Chief Clarence Olafemi.