Abiodun inaugurates Osoba Press Centre, tasks media on developmental journalism

• Asks journalists to eschew sensational reportage
• Daniel, Amosun made Ogun a ‘hell’ for me, says Osoba

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has tasked journalists in the country on the need to focus more on responsible and developmental journalism and avoid sensational reportage that are capable of causing crisis in the country.

Abiodun gave the charge, yesterday, at the official inauguration of Olusegun Osoba Press Centre located at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor assured that his administration would continue to assist media practitioners in the discharge of their duties faithfully.

He said that the Press Centre was named after the former governor of the state as a demonstration of the commitment of the incumbent government to press freedom and in appreciation of the cordial relationship his administration enjoys with the media.

Describing Osoba as a “nationalist and an achiever,” Abiodun said the former governor would always be remembered for using journalism to contribute to nation-building rather than divide it.

He said Osoba’s exemplary contributions to journalism had helped him to attain a greater height in politics, urging media practitioners to emulate the professionalism demonstrated by the former governor.

In his remark, Osoba lauded Abiodun for the honour, noting: “This singular action of yours has impacted positively on my life and will elongate my years on earth.”

According to him, the naming of the Press Centre after him has erased his 16 years of traumatic period after leaving office, describing the honour as “emotional.”

Osoba said he went through the most traumatising 16 years of his life in the hands of his successors after leaving office in 2003.

He said: “When I left office, I was so harassed to the point that all the plaques and symbols of all the projects I did were the first to be removed throughout the state”.

“You will not know how many hours you have added to my life with this action today. It maybe hours, weeks, days and years, but you have added something very great to my life today.

“The first 16 years of my leaving this office have been very, very traumatic. I became a snake that doesn’t go back to where it has turn over its skin. The premises (governor’s office) became no go area for me.

“In first eight years, I was virtually declared persona non grata in Ogun State. I couldn’t come to Abeokuta not to talk of visiting the office of the governor. The other eight years also became problematic.”

Osoba said that contrary to the general belief that he produced Dapo Abiodun as governor, he was only part of the process that led to his emergence, saying: “I didn’t produce Governor Dapo Abiodun.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdulwaheed Odusile, described Osoba as a good ambassador and divine gift to the journalism profession, saying: “The veteran journalist is a household name known for his exploit in the media world.”