Gov. Seyi Makinde on Monday snubbed the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary and 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.
The governor, who doubles as the grand patron of the union, neither attended nor send any representative despite official correspondence inviting him.
This is contrary to the tradition of the grand patron to declare celebrations of the union open, which he consistently delegated representatives to perform in the last six years whenever he was unavailable.
Meanwhile, the event was declared open by a former NUJ National President, Prince Lanre Ogundipe, on behalf of the National President, Alhassan Yahya.
Ogundipe commended the union for celebrating the attainment of the milestone, adding that the oldest NUJ council had lived up to expectation.
However, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Akeem Abas, said that government was properly and officially invited, stressing the council is not perturbed by the government’s absence.
According to him, this development won’t distract the union from its responsibility of holding government accountable.
“We will continue to practise our profession ethically, without fear or favour, irrespective of whose ox is gored.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to journalists’ welfare, press freedom, professional development and institutional growth.
Chief Dare Babarinsa, the Guest lecturer, advocated the retention of Nigeria’s North-South rotational presidency arrangement, describing it as essential to national unity and political stability.
Babarinsa, the Chairman of Gaskia Media Limited, urged journalists to defend democracy, embrace digital innovation and create opportunities for younger professionals and women.
The veteran journalist, in his lecture entitled
‘Six Decades of Legacy, Milestones and Lessons for the Future’, warned that traditional media organisations risked becoming irrelevant if they failed to adapt to changing realities.
He described journalists as custodians of national memory and called on them to sustain their contribution to nation-building.
A former Chairman of the council, Comrade Adewumi Faniran, recalled how Makinde’s governorship victory began at Dapo Aderogba Hall of the press centre.
He expressed displeasure over the absence of the governor and his representative at the opening ceremony of the union’s 60th anniversary.
“Makinde’s hand was raised on March 5, 2019 by political leaders, including former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja, now the Olubadan of Ibadanland at this press centre few days to the March 9, 2019 governorship election.
“It is a great disappointment that the same governor was not part of this anniversary and did not even send any representative.
This union played a significant role in Makinde’s emergence as governor,” he said.
In their various remarks, a former chairman of the council, Mogaji Soladoye Adewole and former NUJ Vice-President for Zone, B, Mogaji Cosmas Oni, commended the guest lecturer for the educative lecture delivered.
The duo in their remarks, lauded the continuous progress recorded by the union, commending the current leadership for sustaining developments at the press centre.
The Onigbeti of Igbeti Kingdom, Oba Bashir Abioye, urged journalists in Oyo State to embrace digital technology and artificial intelligence while upholding professionalism, ethical standards and the Yoruba Omoluabi values.
The traditional ruler also called on journalists to use their professional skills to promote good governance, national development, patriotism and moral values.
Oba Abioye congratulated the union on attaining 60 years, describing the anniversary as a remarkable milestone in its history of excellence, professionalism and nation-building.
He expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to witness the historic occasion and commended journalists for their contributions to shaping society and promoting responsible citizenship.
