AIYEDATIWA'S AIDE, OLAMIDE FALANA BAGS AWARD OF RECOGNITION, TASKS JOURNALISTS ON MORE ADVOCACY FOR FEMALE GENDER

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AIYEDATIWA’S AIDE, OLAMIDE FALANA BAGS AWARD OF RECOGNITION, TASKS JOURNALISTS ON MORE ADVOCACY FOR FEMALE GENDER

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Matters, Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana has added another feather to her hat as she received the Award of Recognition for her efforts in Gender Advocacy and impact as regards changing the narrative of Gender stereotypes in the society.

Chief Falana, received the award at the 20th Public Lecture and 24th Award Ceremony of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State Correspondents’ Chapel, held in Akure.

Giving her remarks at the occasion, Chief Falana especially gave kudos to the Guest speakers at the event, Pastor Akinola Olotu who spoke on Food Security and the HOD, Mass Communication Dept, AAUA, Dr. Abimbola Olugbenga who spoke on the theme of the event, Electioneering: Roles and Responsibilities of the Media.

Falana said the State Government was being proactive in ensuring food security, even as the administration of the Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa recently approved, Two billion naira to boost food availability in the state adding that the Amotekun Corps also recently launched Amotekun Rangers, aimed at ensuring security of life and property of farmers.

She seized the opportunity to encourage people to engage in innovative ways of urban farming with the use of sacks to grow crops in their area of residence to ensure food supply within reach.

Commending Correspondents’ Chapel Falana said “Journalists remain the conscience of the society; they are collaborators and partners in progress who must serve as Gender advocates particularly for the women folk”. She added that journalists owe women a duty to ensure Gender equality and break the impediment of progress so they can attain the level they should be.

She charged Journalists to take proactive measures to ensure women in Ondo State thrive politically. “We should be given adequate media presence by constantly projecting women imbued with a sense of selflessness and commitment to service through contents, so that in the next period of elections, more women can occupy elective positions”.

Guest Lecturer, Dr. Olugbenga Abimbola, while speaking on the theme addressed topical issues on the roles which Journalists must play before, during and after elections; the need to study the Electoral Act 2022 and the INEC guidelines to know their rights and obligations to the society; sensitization to the public so as to shaun violence during electioneering period; safety precaution tips; the need to serve as a watchdog and make political office holders accountable saying that the sole responsibility of Journalists is to promote the government and the governed, in the interest of the society.

In his remarks, Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Tosin Ajuwon while appreciating guests emphasized that the basis of the award ceremony was to celebrate excellence, impact, greatness and dedication to the work of humanity. He said the celebration week was remarkable also because it is the election year for the State thus which influenced the theme of the event.

He implored Journalist to not only capture ballot casting during elections, but rather seek to ensure a transparent process and hold the leaders accountable so that the voices of the masses could be heard by raising issues they hold so dearly, noting that journalists play a vital role in shaping and influencing public opinion.

Later, whilst receiving her award, the Special Adviser thanked the organizers for counting her worthy for the award and assured that it would serve as a push for her to do more in building interest of young ladies and women to take up positions in leadership and further address other gender related issues affecting the society.

According to the Press Officer in the Office of Gender Matters, Debbie Funmilayo, the event had in attendance the Grand Patron the Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi and other notable dignitaries.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of awards.