Aregbesola urges media to assist in economy recovery
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has challenged the media to use its platform to educate Nigerians on the implications of the economic situations in the country.
Aregbesola specifically said radio broadcasters have great roles to play in ensuring the understanding of all and sundry.
He said this can be done by promoting the peace of the society and discouraging hate messages that could also negatively affect communal peace and stability.
The Governor stated these at the official commissioning of Oodua FM, established by a former member of the House of Representatives and an actor, Hon Rotimi Makinde, in Ile-Ife on Sunday evening.
Lamenting on the depleting state of the nation’s economy, Aregbesola urged media practitioners to design programmes that would quicken the recovery of the nation’s values, socio-economic and democratic loses.
He said “Media should endeavour in sensitizing the public on the current economic predicaments through educative and informative programmes capable of orientating the general public on the need to be productive and take-off their minds from crude oil revenues that have crashed.”
Aregbesola said radio stations must at this time of hardship do all they could to support the government’s efforts in promoting innovative and technology-based ideas to move the nation forward.
He said, “My advise for the owner and the entire management of this station is to use the medium wisely to promote peaceful coexistence among the people in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
“Please do not politicise your activities at this radio station. Let this establishment be for the promotion of the highest values and ethos of Yoruba people.
“Strive to let this station be for the promotion of peace, harmony, love and affection among Nigerians especially Yoruba people.
“Shun any divisive tendency and use this station for educational purpose. Use it to promote our culture and balanced entertainment.
“Also, use this station to promote industry, productivity and efficiency as these, will go a long way in rescuing our society from the current recession we are all in.”
Commending the owner of Oodua FM, Aregbesola called on the management of the station to always avoid progammes that would make the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) sanction it.
“The management is further urged to stick to the government’s efforts at advancing innovative, technological and inventive knowledge that have been the hallmarks of our government”, he stressed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the owner, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, said the station would promote unity, love, peace and harmony of Nigerian people.
He added, “Oodua FM is open to all to give the general public the required quality broadcasting and let me assure the National Broadcasting Commission that we shall do all our best to conform with the rules and regulations as spelt out by the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.”
The Governor later made his first live broadcast on the station and wished the people of the state well with the coming of Oodua FM.
