Journalism is about ability to write well not certificate – CPS to Kwara Gov.; Ajakaye, As Media charged on agenda setting for political candidates

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye has advised journalism students to always practice news writing on daily basis, says journalism as a profession is about one’s ability to write clearly, not a class of degree graduated with.

Ajakaye said this while giving remarks at an event organised by ‘Afrika Eyes’ an online news platform, for the students of Mass Communications in higher institutions in the state and discussion ‘on role of media in the election process.’

The two in one programme tagged “Afrika Eyes Campus Journalism” and “Role of Media in the Election Process” was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Ilorin, Kwara state capital, on Thursday with students of journalism across higher institutions in the state in attendance.

“Journalism started with discipline, as a young journalist the number one role is to keep to time.

“Journalism unlike other professions is about one’s ability to write clearly. All that editors need from you is your skill to write good news, and the intellectual ability to come up with good feature stories and good presentations in the case of electronic media, not a class of degree one graduated with”

“As a student of journalism, I want to urge you to at least write a story on daily basis, happening around your campuses, this will sharpen your skill and prepare you for a better tomorrow in your chosen career”

Speaking on the “Role of Media in the Election Process” Nicholas Nwaruonye, Bureau Chief of Daily Independent, said the media’s responsibility in the election process is to serve as a watchdog on activities of the electoral umpire (INEC) political parties, all stakeholders and set agenda for candidates.

“Media need to set agenda for the ruling class, the party candidates whether a candidate of the ruling party or the opposition.

“Journalists need to interrogate and set agenda for a candidate that is promising heaven and earth by asking questions on how he intends to go about achieving all that he promises and the process he will follow to execute it.

“Journalists must be focused and precise on issues that would bring development to the people and nation while engaging politicians, this will enable the electorate to know the right candidate and party to vote for during elections”

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was represented at the event by the head of voters education, Adamu Musa, who seized the opportunity to remind media organizations that intend to deploy staff to cover the forthcoming election to go online and register before it closes on February 5th, said no journalist will be allowed to cover the 2023 general election without proper accreditation.

Some distinguished members of the society and organization were also given a meritorious award of Excellence based on their track records.