By Musa Baba Adamu
Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru, has tasked reporters to expand their knowledge base while pursuing their career as journalists, saying that human survival is hinged on acquisition of Knowledge, especially in a knowledge-driven society like Nigeria.
Basiru, who stated this while declaring open a day workshop for select women journalists by the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Osun State Chapter in Osogbo, observed that journalism requires that the professionals expand their horizon of intellectual acquisition.
The lawmaker took a swipe at some crop of journalists whom he lamented for taking delight in misinforming the reading public with screaming headlines, even when their stories are devoid of truths drawn from investigative journalism.
He clarified that regulation does not take away freedom of press, but is a mechanism to prevent abuse of privilege and protect the press against becoming a bastion of lies and calumnies.
Senator Basiru enjoined journalists to speak truth to powers that be by exposing corruption and abuse of power, using the instrumentality of investigation and truth.
He also charged newsmen to focus on development journalism instead of dissipating energy on matters that can lead to dismemberment of the nation.
Earlier in her address of welcome, Chairman, Osun NAWOJ, Motunrayo Ayegbayo, commended the Senate spokesman for supporting the workshop tremendously, assuring him that NAWOJ will continue to appreciate the Senator in all spheres.
Chairman, Osun Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, also commended Senator Basiru for always being accessible to his constituents and journàlists within and outside the State, saying the disposition of the lawmaker to the media in the State is unprecedented.
