Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has assured National Pilot Newspaper in its role as the watch dog of the society and upholding the virtues of good governance of his support.
He gave the assurance while receiving the management of the medium led by the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Alhaji Billy Adedamola at the Government House, Ilorin on Friday.
The Governor, who noted that the newspaper has played critical role in promoting activities of his administration, commended it for upholding high ethical standard in the dissemination of information to members of the public.
He urged National Pilot to intensify efforts in the area of investigative journalism in order to discharge its role as the ‘advocate’ of the people effectively and efficiently, pointing out that the media is a veritable tool which the government can use to reach out to the people.
Governor Ahmed also advised the management of the newspaper to embrace the evolving technology in the media, noting that more people are conscious of electronic information dissemination in contemporary time.
“I am sure National Pilot will not be left behind in cueing into technology drive of information dissemination because it is clear that a lot more people are becoming conscious of electronic information dissemination,” he said.
He, however, stressed that his administration is receptive of criticism, adding that it allows his government to see areas of shortfalls and where to pay attention to in advancing good governance and service delivery to Kwarans.
“One component of good governance is to be receptive to criticism especially if it is constructive as it helps to see area of shortfalls and areas to attend to for the collective benefit of all. Therefore I want you to always draw our attention to grey areas,” the governor said.
He further said that as his administration is winding up, activities of his government and prospect for good governance would be showcased through various media platforms, imploring the medium to partner it in this area.
Earlier, Adedamola commended Governor Ahmed for his giant strides and his contribution to ‘modern Kwara’.
Adedamola who stated that National Pilot is one of the leading newspapers in the state, said the success story of the media house cannot be divorced from the immense support received from Governor Ahmed’s administration particularly in the area of advert patronage.
He solicited that the support be strengthened for mutual benefit, saying, “Most of your achievements would be better driven home to the public if we work together given our (National Pilot) credibility and reach.
With the popularity of the newspaper, your achievements will be better showcased if we work together in the overall benefit of our people,” he stressed.
He appreciated the sense of maturity and magnanimity exhibited by the governor, when stories that are not favourable to his administration are published by the newspaper, saying that in the quest to uphold ethics of the job, National Pilot had stepped on toes.
“We are driven by the ethics of the job because the newspaper is held in public trust and we don’t want to destroy the trust, but we appreciate your sense of maturity, magnanimity and forgiving spirit, whenever stories that do not go down well with you are published.”
