Adebayo Adenrele
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, has urged journalists in the state to refrain from promoting corrupt politicians through their platforms.
Speaking during the 2025 Annual Media Lecture organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Bishop Ajakaye emphasized the need for the media to be fearless in the fight against corruption and to set a positive public agenda for the good of society.
Delivering his lecture titled “Surmounting the Challenges to the Role of Media as a Real Catalyst for Positive and Concrete Change in Nigeria”, the bishop said journalism should serve as a voice for the people and not a mouthpiece for bad leadership or political propaganda.
He called on journalists and media practitioners nationwide to remain focused and resist distractions from politicians, stressing the importance of producing impactful, truth-based content that benefits the public.
His words, “The media in Nigeria must stand up now more than ever and be more responsive to its role of responsible and investigative journalism instead of joining the political class, some elite, some political leaders, to promote mediocrity, indiscipline, corruption, injustice, insecurity’ and civil unrest in Nigeria.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. She is our mother, our patrimony. I state here that the media should not be giving prominence to the self-acclaimed leaders, political religious and social alike, with dubious character.
“The media should spearhead the critical war against indiscipline and corruption in all their ramifications and expose the culprits instead of giving them awards.
“Let all be sincere and purposeful stakeholders of good governance in Nigeria harness their talents and strive to promote honesty and ‘Omoluabi’ ethos (the set of attitudes and beliefs that are typical of an organisation or a group of people).
“Omoluabi is described as a well-bred, morally upright person. ‘Odaju’ is its obverse, the opposite. in our Nigerian society. The media will keep on losing its credibility once the people realise that it is playing on their intelligence.
“Nigeria is our country, let us arise and answer the clarion call to work together as a formidable people with a sincerity of purpose and new orientation in order to make our Nigeria better and stronger and make the country habitable for all and sundry. Let us promote politics of inclusion, while we put an end to politics of exclusion, intimidation and destruction”.
Earlier in his address of welcome, NUJ Ekiti State Council Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi commended Bishop Ajakaye for honoring the union’s invitation and for his long-standing commitment to national development through constructive dialogue.
Babatuyi said the lecture was aimed at empowering journalists to overcome professional challenges while upholding the ethics and principles that define responsible journalism.
