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Oyo Information Summit: Media stakeholders call for regulation of online publishers.
No fewer than 800 media stakeholders, who converged in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State to attend the maiden edition of Oyo State Government Information Summit, yesterday called for the regulation of Online Publishers through legislation as well as registration of bloggers and online publishers, averring that there is need for synergy between government and media practitioners as catalysts for sustainable development in Nigeria.
The stakeholders also cautioned media practitioners from reporting inciting as well as divisive messages that could lead to chaos and precipitate anarchy in the country.
The summit, which had in attendance Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, his counterpart from Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, Media Chiefs, Media Regulatory Agencies, Government Functionaries, Public Relations Practitioners, Information Officers, Communication Lecturers, Reporters, Online Publishers, Broadcasters, Lawyers, Communication Students and other Stakeholders, advocated for the promotion of language for peace and stability in the country by media organizations.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit with the theme: “Managing Information & Communications: the Catalyst for Sustainable Development, the stakeholders called for effective monitoring of media houses by various Regulatory agencies, noting that strict compliance with regulations guiding the ethics of the media profession should be followed.
“After a careful examination of issues addressed on past and current Nigerian socio-political milieu, the Summit condemned inflammatory statements and narratives from different parts of the country on media channels as well as linguistic or extra linguistic acts that can spur hatred and unnecessary tension. Nigerian media should encourage the use of positive languages to promote peace and harmony in the society,” the communiqué committee headed by Dr. Bayo Busari explained.
The participants at the summit, the first of its kind by any state government, commended the Oyo State Government for organizing the epochal summit explaining that it offered the opportunity for Stakeholders to examine the challenges in the practice of Information and Communication management, consequently calling for a regular Information summit of this nature, twice in a year.
According to the communiqué, “there should be periodic training and mentoring for Media Practitioners and Information managers, provision of necessary working tools for media practitioners, in line with modern trend in the industry, in addition to the revival and sustenance of the culture of professionalism among media Practitioners.
The participants charged media owners to pay more attention to the welfare of media practitioners and information managers, with a clarion call for the speedy commissioning of the Oyo State Archive nearing construction.
Governor Ajimobi, while declaring the summit open, noted that being objective is one of the most difficult things to be in life, enjoining media practitioners to ensure that they correctly and factually inform the people so that the government and the people can always walk in the same direction.
He stated that efforts to bridge the information and communication gap, address lack of professionalism and ethical standards is the first Oyo State Council on Information Summit saying, “Our answer is this maiden edition of Oyo State Council on Information Summit with the theme: Managing information and communications: the catalyst for sustainable development. It is convened by the Oyo state government for stakeholders in the media profession, to exchange views and ideas and to seek ways of improvement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I implore all of you here, to please let us correctly, factually, inform our people so that the government and the people can walk in the same direction. As the internet and digital media usage becomes increasingly widespread, it is a matter of strategic necessity for information managers to fashion out practical strategies in the engagement of the various interest groups,” Governor Ajimobi added.
In his short remark, Governor Fayose urged the practitioners to look inwards and lead by example with whatever they are sending to the government and the public, adding that if things get better through the information and communication disseminated, it is in the interest of everybody.
He lamented that most journalists have abandoned their first professional call and have become what he described as “professional-political journalists”, urging them to choose a path to follow out of the two fields.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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