Journalism, A Potent Tool For Grassroots Development – Oyintiloye

Special Adviser to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has described journalism as a strong driver of community and grassroots development.

The aide to Osun State Governor noted that the media practitioners remained the pivot in the development engineering of every given polity.

The former lawmaker disclosed this while delivering a keynote address on the topic “Journalism: a tool for Grassroots Development” as the Guest Speaker at the Opening Ceremony for 2021 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Local Government Chapel held at NUJ State Secretariat, Osogbo.

While stating the function of the mass media in grassroots mobilization, Oyintiloye likened it to the Civic Engagement initiative of Governor Oyetola which was created with the intent to reach out to the people at the grassroots with a view to seeking the opinion and yearnings of the masses in the policy formulation process thereby facilitating an inclusive and participatory governance which bridges the government-people gap.

“Like journalism, the Civic Engagement of Oyetola’s administration also focuses on educating and informing citizens about the general governance activities in the state, as well as sensitizing the populace on the need to take responsibility in the fight against any societal challenge. These are direct forms of engagement beyond media sensitization which is targeted towards grassroots mobilization in areas of political culture, reorientation and value rebirth in the state polity”, he said.

The Special Adviser then urged the media practitioners on developmental journalism which he described as one that looks beyond the conventional news and feature criteria, and develops the ability to offer news and features stories that will be useful to readers, viewers and listeners in rural areas in a variety of ways.

“This would help in achieving a high level of consciousness reawakening, re-orientation as well as rebirth of sociopolitical culture among the people, as necessary for sustainable development.

“Development essentially is not a matter of gross national product but the growth of a new consciousness, the movement of human mind, the uplifting of the human spirit and the infusion of human confidence.

“Communication generally promotes development but does not ensure development, and as such information in development can only be efficient when communication serves as an element of change in collaboration with all other key segments (sectors or services), such as health, education, among others to ensure development”, he concluded.

In their separate remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Osun state Council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and the Chairman of NUJ Local Government Chapel, Dr. Adedapo Owolabi both underscored the primacy of Journalists in the developmental process of every given polity, while restating their commitment to using their fountain of expertise and skills to support the vision of Governor Oyetola in making Osun an enviable state for all.

They however, appreciated the governor for his dynamic leadership which have brought about significant development to the state, and given priority to the welfare of the state workforce.