By Samuel Sunday
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, has tasked the Online Media Chapel in the State to grow their brand and network for them to gain recognition from the state government.
Oyebode gave this charge while receiving members of the Online Media Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, in his office on Tuesday, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Governor explained that gaining recognition in Government as a media chapel requires regular projection of government activities and that it might take time before any Media Chapel can break through into the circle of Government.
His words: “Grow your brand individually and grow your readership base to a point that the government will recognise you.
“Online Media has a greater advantage but grow your brand. It takes time before any media chapel can break through the circle of government.
“Grow your network. Ekiti state government does not discriminate, it’s all about being accountable, it’s about the system because government doesn’t jump into what it can’t accommodate.”
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Ayodele Abere had said none of the members of the chapel has been engaged in covering the activities of Governor Biodun Oyebanji since his assumption in office which according to him necessitated the need for the visit.
Comrade Abere, who led the 8-man team noted that Online Media has become the mainstream of Journalism, hence the need for the state government to extend an olive branch to the chapel through patronage.
However, the CPS said the State government is not at loggerheads with the chapel but the current system has laid down procedures which must be followed before they can be enrolled into the Government circle.
While assuring the Chapel of patronage, he enjoined members to pay their taxes as and when due, and be fully registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) so that they can also enjoy the dividends of Government like their counterparts.
However, Oyebode assured the team of his readiness to assist the Online Media in his own little way as he has always been doing to their colleagues in print and electronic media.
