Bishop Ajakaiye Calls for Developmental Journalism in Nigeria
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaiye, has urged media practitioners in Nigeria to embrace developmental journalism and ensure that their criticisms are constructive. During a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ekiti State Council, led by Chairman Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, Bishop Ajakaiye stressed that journalism is one of the nation’s noble professions and called on journalists to adopt a more positive approach to their critiques in order to foster national development.
Bishop Ajakaiye expressed his deep love for Nigeria, urging citizens to adopt a mindset of positive criticism to aid the country’s progress. He commended journalists in Ekiti for their continued support of the state government and encouraged them to remain steadfast, assuring them that the nation would soon improve, benefiting all citizens.
The Bishop also prayed for the members of the Ekiti NUJ council and pledged to support them by channeling their concerns to the relevant authorities. His support for the union was further expressed in his commitment to helping resolve their issues.
Earlier, NUJ Ekiti Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, thanked the Bishop for his ongoing support of the union. Babatuyi also took the opportunity to inform the Bishop about the challenges facing the union, including the lack of a press center and a union bus—resources that are crucial for the smooth operation of the council. He appealed for the Bishop’s help in securing support from the Ekiti State Government, particularly from Governor Oyebanji, to address these needs.
Comrade Babatuyi also shared plans for a media summit later this year, in which Bishop Ajakaiye is expected to deliver a lecture and be honored for his contributions to the union’s growth and development.
In his remarks, the immediate past Chairman of the Ekiti NUJ, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, lamented the underfunding of the union by past state governments. He too sought the Bishop’s influence in urging the state government to provide a proper secretariat for the council.
The visit, which was attended by other members of the NUJ Ekiti Council, including Mrs. Adewumi Ademiju, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ekiti State, highlighted ongoing challenges and the desire for a more supportive environment for journalists in the region.
