UPDATE:

Young and upcoming journalists in Nigeria have been charged to be bold and fearless while aspiring to get to the peak of their career.

This was stated yesterday by veterans in the profession during an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA news at an event in honour of the outgoing Deputy Director of programmes FRCN Ibadan Network Center, Mr. Gabriel Onafurume in Ibadan.

While speaking, Mr. Gabriel Onafurume noted that the media personnel have been performing excellently owing to their dedication, diligence, creativity and hard work.

He stated that despite the media worker’s lack of training facilities to ensure continuous training on the job, they are still able to stand up to the task of providing audience with straight, precise, accurate and timely information.

He therefore urged young journalist to be bold, fearless, honest, determined and dedicated to carrying out their duties to the society adding that only then will they be celebrated for their contributions.

On his part, the Zonal Director of Ibadan Network Station, Mr. Zaccheaus Oloruntola stated that the media has been pro active, up and doing in the area of covering varying issues.

He enjoined upcoming journalist to emulate the veterans in the profession while performing their duties, bearing in mind the ethics that guides the profession. Mr. Oloruntola added that upcoming journalist should research into their reports to ensure balance and objectivity.

Another veteran, Mr Shina Abimbola said that journalism is a noble profession and that is why they are described as the fourth estate of the realm.

He stated that journalists must do their job with the whole of their heart because they are responsible for holding the government accountable to the people adding that journalists help to form opinion for discussions among people and in that regard, they must not fall short of people’s expectation.

Mr. Shina encouraged the upcoming journalists not to do the work because of the gratification they will receive.

He added that journalists must be professional at all times saying the truth only.

He explained that practising Journalism diplomatically shows one is not ready for the work and tasked journalists not call black white and vice-versa.

The veterans however called on government at all levels to pay attention to the needs of the media by providing necessary facilities that will help young and upcoming journalist perform well while being able to compete with their international counterpart.

They also advised that journalists should be well paid so that they can perform optimally on the job.

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The Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Agboola, has extolled the virtues of the outgoing deputy director of programmes Ibadan Network Station Mr. Gabriel Onafurume describing him as a man whose services will be greatly missed by the organization.

The DG stated this at the send-off ceremony for the retired director of programmes, Mr. Gabriel Onafurume at the CLJ event place Sango Ibadan.

Alh. Agboola who was represented by Mr. Shina Abimbola disclosed that the professionalism and expertise with which Mr. Onafurume carried out his duties is worthy of emulation and urged the Ibadan Network Station to ensure they find a suitable individual to carry on with his good works.

On his part the zonal director of the Ibadan network station Pastor Zaccheus Oloruntola described Mr. Onafurume as a diligent man, lover and man of the people whose contributions were good, accurate, precise and straight to the point.

He therefore charged people to emulate his conduct and developmental spirit and also urged Mr. Onafurume to remain focused as he journeyed into his future and prayed that God will continue to be with him in all his endeavours.

The Oyo state Commissioner of police Mr.Mohammed Ndabawa who was represented by the Area Commander Iyaganku Division, ACP Luke Christopher described the outgoing Deputy Director as an upright and diligent man who is focused in all he does and prayed on God to grant him all his heart desires even as he bows out of public service.

The wife and children of Mr. Onofurume expressed their excitement and thanked God for keeping them all alive to see this day.

While describing him as a nice, jovial, easy going, principled and a strict disciplinarian, the wife and children prayed on God to grant him long life and the grace to fulfil all his heart desires.

In his remarks, Mr Onafurume expressed gratitude to God that has kept him throughout his 35 years in active service.

He called on government to pay more attention to the media, provide facilities as well as better remuneration for journalists.

He also advised young and practising journalist to be hardworking, honest, bold, and dedicated to their work.

The event was graced by various dignitaries from the public and private sectors as well as friends, families and colleagues from both within and outside the state.