Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Sunday commended journalists for their contributions to the political and economic development of the country.
Abiodun gave the commendation in his message to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day.
The governor noted the continued relevance of the press in the country’s march to nation-building.
He said: “The 2020 World Press Freedom Day, which is being globally celebrated today, gives us the peculiar avenue to appreciate the vital role being played daily by the media in various societies.
“Your status as the Fourth Estate of the Realm is irreplaceable in nation-building, because you serve as the watchdog of successive administrations to hold them accountable to the people.”
Abiodun urged governments at all levels to create conducive working environment for journalists through a healthy partnership.
He commended journalists as being frontliners in the fight again the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor appreciated the efforts of the media in the state, especially “for the numerous and effective sensitisation initiatives through various platforms and which had penetrated to the grassroots to create awareness about the coronavirus”.
He advised journalists to shun all acts that might compromise the ethics of their profession and stay focused on issues of development.
Abiodun said: “I urge the media to continue to be guided by the ethics of the noble profession and shun sentiments, partisanship and fake or unverified news stories, so that together, we can build a better future.”