Omobolaji Adekunle
The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the media to drive sustainable development and promote transparency in governance.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, gave the assurance while delivering a goodwill message at the opening of a two-day media retreat organized by the Ogun State Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Akinmade, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, commended the organizers for putting together a capacity-building programme aimed at empowering 100 journalists drawn from the print, broadcast, social media, and government information departments.
He described the retreat as “an opportunity to sharpen reportorial skills and embrace new possibilities,” adding that media practitioners must constantly update their knowledge in order to remain relevant in a rapidly changing digital environment.
“Occasions such as this offer opportunities to reflect on the field of practice, share experience, acquire new skills, drop old, unsustainable habits, and essentially enter into a new world of possibilities,” Akinmade said.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria including limited access to structured mentorship, safety concerns, financial sustainability, and the pressures of digital transformation but emphasized that training and innovation can help bridge many of these gaps.
Speaking on the theme and objectives of the retreat, which covers finance, economy, health, telecoms, law, governance, and community relations, among others, Akinmade lauded the quality of resource persons assembled, describing them as “highly accomplished individuals who will do justice to the various topics.”
The Special Adviser also used the occasion to highlight the achievements of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, noting that Ogun State has experienced significant progress in infrastructure, economy, education, agriculture, health, housing, and security.
He revealed that the state’s GDP has grown from ₦3.5 trillion to ₦16 trillion, while over 1,500 kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated, including major projects such as the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway and Atan–Lusada–Agbara Road.
“We have built a truly world-class airport the Gateway International Airport which is already changing the face of aviation in Nigeria. Ogun under Prince Dapo Abiodun is a new terrain, a massive construction site,” Akinmade stated.
He added that the government has also approved the Kajola Inland Container Terminal, established the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency, and signed partnerships with several investors, including Chinese energy firm CteeC, for a 3-megawatt power project and an industrial park.
On other development fronts, Akinmade mentioned the Yellow Roof Revolution in school infrastructure, the Ogun Teach Programme for teacher employment, the renovation and equipping of Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and the construction of over 2,000 housing units across the state the highest by any administration since Ogun’s creation.
He also acknowledged the media’s role in amplifying government programmes and publicizing Governor Abiodun’s numerous recognitions, including the Best Governor in Infrastructure (South-West, 2022), Best Governor in Housing Delivery (2023), and Forbes’ Best of Africa Governor in Industrial Revolution (2022), among others.
“Without your active support, our security initiatives, agricultural reforms, and social programmes would not have enjoyed the widespread visibility they received. On behalf of His Excellency, I express our profound appreciation,” he said.
Akinmade concluded by congratulating the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Rasaq Ayinla, and his executive team for organizing the retreat, noting that the initiative would “no doubt empower journalists and strengthen the bond between the government and the media.”
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