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A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has urged journalists in Nigeria to maintain integrity and hold public officials accountable in accordance with the Constitution.
Daramola made this appeal while delivering a lecture titled “Ekiti: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” at the 2025 Press Week Dinner and Award Night organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council.
He characterized the media as a vital institution for societal growth and development, emphasizing that responsible reporting is essential for promoting accountability and good governance.
He noted that while Ekiti State still faces significant development challenges, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has made impressive strides that position the state for further advancement.
Daramola highlighted the necessity for the media to continue challenging political office holders and demanding transparency, asserting that this would encourage them to govern with integrity and respect for the profession.
He commended the NUJ leadership for conducting a performance survey of National Assembly members from the state, in collaboration with the Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI).
“Society cannot be built solely by politicians; every politician is also a member of society,” he stated. “If those appointed or elected are not performing, citizens must take a stand against them. The collaboration between NUJ and an NGO to oversee projects statewide is praiseworthy.”
He further noted that ongoing scrutiny of constituency projects would deter politicians from taking the public and the media for granted.
Earlier, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, urged journalists to uphold professionalism and ensure balanced coverage of the upcoming electoral events as the state prepares for the 2026 governorship election.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the Governor expressed gratitude to the media for their support of his administration and assured that the concerns of the Union remain a priority for him.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an Award of Excellence to Governor Oyebanji.
Other awardees included the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Monisade Abodunde; the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Joseph Ayodele; Hon. Bimbo Daramola; and the Managing Director of Delko Holding Ltd., Olufemi Aluko.
Awards were also given to outstanding journalists for their remarkable contributions to the profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main message from Hon. Bimbo Daramola's lecture?
Hon. Bimbo Daramola emphasized the importance of integrity in journalism and the need for the media to hold public officials accountable to promote good governance.
What recognition did Governor Biodun Oyebanji receive?
Governor Biodun Oyebanji received an Award of Excellence during the event.
How does the media contribute to societal growth according to Daramola?
Daramola stated that the media plays a crucial role in societal growth by ensuring responsible reporting, which fosters accountability and good governance.
