Nigerian Journalists Should Keep Striving For Excellence – Osoba

gEx-Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba has come out to say that journalists should keep striving for excellence in the journalism practice.

He recently revealed this to the press at the presentation and launching of a book titled “Ralph Akinfeleye: The Bridge Between Academics and Practitioners,” and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, all hands must be on deck to protect the integrity of journalists, and media practitioners should see themselves as the standard torchbearers of excellence.

He added that the era of fake news must really end in Nigeria as soon as possible because it betrays the profession.

His words, “Ralph Akinfeleye is a standard torch bearer of excellence in matters ofpractice of journalism. He is the teacher-activist whose mantra is : Be the Fourth Estate of the Realm, NOT of the wreck.”

“And there is a lot to say and do in that regard especially with the disruption of the traditional Journalism practice by the internet and thenew media; particularly the challenges of fake news. All hands must be on deck to protect the integrity of journalists. Good and ethical journalism must remain our watchword.”

“Osoba, a journalist and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos State,thanked the collective of academics and friends for the festschrift on Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye.”

“Our paths have crossed several times in the last few decades in the cause of journalism. He has spent a lifetimeproducing quality journalists for our media, and examples abound.”

“We lead his products with practice examples. Ralph Akinfeleye, as a Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos has been ateacher of teachers. He is almost synonymous with that department. He has achieved distinction as a mentor of budding journalists. And he has quite some fans among the old brigade.Ralph Akinfeleye is perhaps the most prominent of his kind in recent times.”

“Prof Akinfeleye is not an armchair scholar. He has laurels to show for field and gown integration.”

“He made unique contributions as themaster-mind of the Community Concord newspapers chain for MKO Abiola in additionto years of scholarship in the ivory tower.”

“He has maintained a consistent foray in setting practice standards. Most of the weights for judging press practice came from his marking schemes designed to adjudged merit on the variousplatforms where he serves as chair of panel of judges for rating journalists and journalism excellence-. Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA); Golden Pen awards by Nigerian Breweries Plc, etc.”