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To achieve development and make Nigeria a better place, the media must focus on its commitment to the public, avoid the influence of money and remember that change comes from the choices made.
The former Presidential Candidate of the KOWA Party in the 2015 election, Professor Remi Sonaya, gave this charge in Lagos over the weekend, stating that members of the public that used to be the targeted audiences of the traditional media are now owners of the media. The advent of the social media has made this possible and the relationship that resulted should be strengthened for the development of the country, she said.
Professor Sonaya, while delivering the keynote address at the second year anniversary lecture and community development awards of Lekki Express magazine, said it was unfortunate that the media sometimes fails in its activities to see itself as a major stakeholder in national development.
Her lecture was titled, Community Development: Roles of the Media. “Media should not limit the public to what people already know. It should help people to try something else that can bring transformation,” affirmed the only female contestant in the last presidential election.
More coverage needs to be given to the success stories of Nigerians in various fields of endeavour, but such news are usually carried by the foreign media while the local outfits focus on project launch by the politicians, according to her.
“Journalists will follow the governor, rather than go for the coverage of development oriented activities being carried out by a group of enterprising Nigerians. This is not right. The media should help by diverting some attention from the politicians,” she said.
She, therefore, said if the media continues to focus only on individuals with power and money, other Nigerians would be shut out and since change comes from the choices made, the public would not be helped to make the right choices.
Managing Editor of Lekki Express, Bola Olalere, noted that the ideology of the magazine entails keeping residents posted on issues that matter in Lekki and environs, adding that while the publication would not ignore the flaws of “the famous in the society,” its editorial judgment rests on the principle of social responsibility and community development.
Some of the awardees at the event were: MD/CEO, Lekki Concession Company, MM Hassan; Managing Director, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ding Yonghua; Former Executive Secretary, Eti-Osa Local Government, Hon. Ajayi Alaba Saibu; Co-Founder, Lekki Peninsular School, Dr. Bunmi Oyinsan and CEO, House of Gmyt, Princess Romeo Oghene.
Photo Caption: From Left MD/CEO,Lekki Concession Company,MM Hassan receiving the award from Lekki Express Managing Editor, Bola Olalere
