Obasanjo’s wife counsels journalists on ethics

WIFE of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo has tasked journalists to be ethical and strictly adhere to the tenets of the media profession, and beam their searchlight in their social responsibility roles in the society.

Obasanjo spoke as Chairperson of the 3rd Anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media held at the Marque Events Centre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta stressing that journalists must be socially responsible to the public.

The Chairperson of the occasion pointed out that, journalism as a noble profession and the watchdog of society must be practised with honesty and objectivity, insisting that journalists must discharge their duties, bearing in mind that the interest of the people is of utmost priority.

Similarly, she charged media practitioners to practise what she called “proactive journalism”, adding that, that “will bring smiles to the faces of the challenged in the society at all times”. She also commended the Penpushing Media for  its internal mechanisms against fake news.

She commended the founder for using the platform to address the plights of the less-privileged and indigents in the country and urged other media organisations to emulate the initiative of Penpushing.

The founder, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, earlier in his welcome address, said, the platform was painstakingly created and designed to add value to the journalism profession.

He disclosed that the platform in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Terre de homes (TDH), with headquarters in Switzerland engaged in training of journalists in Lagos and Ogun States, with assurance that similar training will be extended to other parts of the country.

The  founder said beneficiaries of the workshop,  had been admitted by the foreign agency as journalists who are to be involved in reporting activities of the agency within Nigeria and West Africa,and also commended the members of the Editorial Board of Penpushing led by Mrs. Funke Fadugba for their efforts in sustaining the growth of the medium.