By Mike Adeyemi
The Best Print Media Award received recently by National Pilot newspaper has been described as a merited one.
The National Coordinator of Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi made this disclosure when he led members of the group to the corporate headquarters of the newspaper at Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, on Tuesday.
Abdullahi noted that objectivity and balanced reportage of the newspaper stands the medium tall among its peers.
“Permit me to start by congratulating this medium for a job well done and on your award as ‘The Newspaper of the Year’.
“Though your newspaper was established by a politician but what we read in your publication everyday transcends beyond political subjection hence the main reason many political fanatics feel disappointed in your balanced reportage.
“There is no way a well designed newspaper with its rich contents like National Pilot will not win an award. The award given to your medium is well deserved and long overdue,” he said adding that the medium should not rest on its oars.
Speaking further, he said, “National Pilot newspaper has often time informed the electorate where to pitch their tents and your back page column is irresistible.”
Abdullahi however requested that the medium provide a space every Thursday where the activities of the group and other Islamic engagements and messages will be reported.
“National Pilot newspaper has given us prominent coverage over the years and we are using this medium to seek for more support,” he appealed.
On how MMWG came into being, the Coordinator said, the group was formed in 2006 to propagate Islam and to equity and fairness in reportage of religious activities in the country.
“Prior to the formation of MMWG, we had bitter experiences with media organisations in Kwara and by extension Nigeria as Muslim activities were under reported.
“Part of our mission is to ensure many personalities get involved in supporting Islamic programmes in the state. We must ensure that our wealthy Muslim brothers and sisters commit their resources to the path of Allah.
“We also set out to regulate programmes of Islam in the electronic media. For instance, if you have misrepresented the religion, we have every right to call you to order,” he said, adding that MMWG now has on its membership list several professionals across the country.
Similarly, the HOD, Mass Communication Department, University of Ilorin, Dr (Mrs) Saudat AbdulBaki said that, “the fact that you narrow the scope of your newspaper to local coverage is a good thing.
“The so-called national dallies are not really nationalistic in reportage, as activities in communities s across Nigeria are not well captured.
“I want to appreciate the management and staff of the medium for given Kwara residence a sense of belonging through your coverage.”
In his response, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, National Pilot newspaper, Alhaji Billy Adedamola while appreciating the group for the visit, said the decision to refocus the newspaper from its national outlook to a community-based publication has paid off.
He said, “It has not been easy so far because we set out to be different and in compliance with the ethics of journalism, since a newspaper is held in public trust.
“We knew there will be challenges, but we kept going. It is unfortunate that society do not embrace change willingly. If you want to enforce change, you have to pay the prize”, Adedamola said.
He however said that with insignificant advert patronage, the newspaper has been surviving purely on the support of the publisher and the unalloyed patronage of the reading public.
“On your request for more space to report Islamic activities in our newspaper, we will do more than that.
“You don’t even need to ask for more support because we are partners in progress and we will continue to join hands in propagating the virtues of Islam,” Adedamola submitted
