By Mike Adeyemi
The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has charged media houses in the state on the need to do accurate findings and research before reporting stories.
He made this known on Friday, during the 4th Anniversary of National Moonlight Newspaper and award night at the state Banquet Hall, Ilorin.
Governor Ahmed who was a recipient of an award of excellence in Innovative & Resourcefulness in Governance was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold.
According to Ahmed, National Moonlight Newspaper has evolved within the short time of its existence; he therefore urged the medium to strive for further improvement.
In his remarks, the Guest Speaker, who is also the publisher of Oriwu Sun Newspaper in Lagos, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago advised affluent individuals in the state on the need to invest in community newspaper.
Olowosago said, there is a lot of return on investment in community newspaper business than in the highly competitive national newspaper.
He said, “about 90 per cent of newspapers in Britain and America are community based, therefore I want to urge journalists in Kwara to explore the comparative advantage of community newspaper.”
He however advised journalists to be pro-government in their reportage, saying, “There is no way you can succeed in newspaper business without government’s patronage.”
“Nobody want to be condemned, you cannot run a newspaper by condemning the government. Praise them and criticise where and when necessary,” he said.
Also speaking, the Publisher of the newspaper, Alh. Sulyman Toyin Olokoba said National Moonlight Newspaper will continue to strive for a better society.
He however appreciated the contributions of some organisations, individuals and corporate world for the sustenance of the newspaper.
Dr Bukola Saraki, the Senate President was given the Foremost Political Strategist of our time Award.
Among the awardees is the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Dr. Muritala Awodun, as the Most Innovative CEO.
In his response, Awodun dedicated the award to the people of the state, saying; “Without the tax payers, there won’t be KWIRS.”
Other awardees include, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadanosi Esuwoye II, the Executive Director of SEAP, Pastor Oladokun Olatunde, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof Suleiman Abdulkareem Age and the Chairman of Kamwire Nig. Ltd, Engr Kamaldeen Yusuf, among others.
