By Ayodele Abere
The Founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, Aare Are Babalola has again reminded journalists of their role as agents of a better change in the society.
Afe Babalola made the remarks when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Ado-Ekiti.
The legal luminary advised journalists to be bold, fearless and prepared to step on toes. He described press as the most powerful weapon to sensitise, advise and make suggestions to the people, noting that the crops of Journalists in Nigeria today are timid.
He pointed out that there was a time when government feared some newspapers because they weren’t owned by government, unlike now that most journalists belong to the media where the owners are also the government.
Considering the deplorable situation of transport system in Nigeria and the poor condition of the people economically, Afe said that the present administration has a duty to perform, and that the duty is the wellbeing of the citizens.
In his word, “don’t lie when you publish. Tell the truth which in Law is a justification for libel”, Afe stated, saying that journalists are to change the world just as he established Afe Babalola University to change the world for better.
According to him, in this present day Nigeria, every new day brings additional problem, “a day forward and a day backward” which he said has been the problem of the country for quite a while.
The multi-award winner explained that journalists are specially empowered to talk through their various mediums adding that they are not just writers but rulers of the country because they are the ones that can direct the public, both the government and individuals as to what is right.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ekiti State, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, who described ABUAD as a global brand, congratulated Aare Afe Babalola on the recent ranking of the Institution as outstanding university in the world which he attributed to selflessness, diligence and discipline on the part of the founder.
Babatuyi, said ABUAD has always been in the news for positive reasons unlike some other universities that usually organised press conference to dispel rumour, or one allegation or the other.
The Chairman therefore requested Babalola to have a befitting press centre built in his name and that NUJ is ready to partner ABUAD to ensure that the founder’s dream for the university comes true which consented to.
Appreciating Aare Afe Babalola on behalf of NUJ, the General Manager of Progress FM, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. (Mrs) Adebola Agbaje, thanked the founder for the warm reception given to the members of the pen profession and the express approval of building a befitting press centre granted NUJ Ekiti. She described Afe Babalola as a father of all journalists.