The Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, has charged media practitioners to take responsibility for shaping a credible and positive narrative about Ogun State through accurate, balanced and professional journalism.
Adigun gave the charge on Saturday while speaking as a guest speaker at the official launch of Ogun 360, a digital media platform established with the vision of becoming the leading destination for everything relating to Ogun State, with the tagline, “Everything Ogun, All in One Place.”
He said Ogun State had a rich story of industrial growth, agriculture, education, culture, innovation and human capital development, stressing that the media had a responsibility to document and project these stories to audiences within and outside the state.
According to him, journalism goes beyond reporting daily events, as the media also helps society understand issues, gives voice to the voiceless, documents history, interrogates policies and provides citizens with information needed to make informed decisions.
The NUJ Secretary, who is also a staff member of Ogun State Television (OGTV), said his 18 years in broadcasting and experience covering a former governor, including official assignments to 13 countries, had exposed him to the importance of effective storytelling in presenting the achievements and potentials of a place to the wider world.
He urged Ogun 360 to maintain accuracy, verification and credibility, noting that the desire to promote the state must never lead to the sacrifice of professional journalism.
Adigun also called for greater attention to stories beyond government and politics, saying the achievements of entrepreneurs, farmers, students, artisans, innovators, traditional institutions, artists, athletes and other residents deserved adequate media visibility.
He said the emergence of digital media had created an opportunity for Ogun 360 to become not only a news platform but also a digital archive of the state, where its history, culture, people, opportunities and achievements could be preserved for future generations.
He further urged government, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, journalists and members of the public to collaborate with the platform in building a stronger information ecosystem for the state.
Adigun said Ogun needed a media ecosystem capable of telling its story beyond the state, noting that investors, tourists, researchers, students and Nigerians in the diaspora needed credible and accessible information about the state.
He congratulated the founders and management of Ogun 360, urging them to remain committed to professionalism, fairness, innovation and responsible journalism.
He said: “When we tell the Ogun story well, we are not merely reporting the present. We are documenting history, shaping perception and helping to define the future of our state.”
He expressed optimism that Ogun 360 would grow from a digital platform into a trusted institution of information and become a major destination for those seeking to understand Ogun State.
“Tell the stories that matter. Give voice to the voiceless. Celebrate excellence. Ask the difficult questions. Promote opportunities. Preserve our heritage. And above all, protect the credibility of the Ogun story,” he added.
