Osun Online Publishers Association Leads Advocacy For Climate Change

•Babatunde Reveals What Journalists Should Do To Drive Sustainable Practice

•As Oyewumi, Alimi, Aaraj, BS, Lukman, Odelade, Others Bag Awards

THE Chairman of the Osun Online Publishers Association, Mr Jare Tiamiyu has revealed the readiness of the association to partner with relevant stakeholders towards tackling the menace of climate change that is threatening the world.

Tiamiyu made this known on Wednesday as the grand finale of the maiden Osun Digital Media Week held in Osogbo, the State capital.

The week-long event, with the theme “Digital Media and Climate Action; the Nexus”, commenced on Monday with sensitization visit to selected markets and donations of sanitation materials to them.

Speaking on Wednesday, Tiamiyu said the journalists understand the threats posed by the climate change and are ready to lead advocacy at the grassroots and spotlight areas that need government and stakeholders attention.

“This is the dry season, whatever we do now will determine how enormous the challenge will be when the rain starts. All of us witnessed what happened in Ikire about a few months ago and we have seen that driving on major roads in Osogbo when it’s raining, is a thug of war as heavy erosion takes over. This is the same in all parts of Osun State.

“As an organization, we’re ready to lead the advocacy and bring more of this to the fore. We will not only be reporting the problems, we shall also be bringing the solution as required by us. We want every stakeholder to work with us towards finding a lasting solution to the challenge.”

Tiamiyu also revealed that the members of the association will embark on capacity building to prepare them for better service to the society.

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In his lecture titled the understanding the media and stakeholders partnership in tackling climate change, guest lecturer, Mr Akintunde Babatunde highlighted the areas of collaboration between media and stakeholders.

Babatunde charged Online Publishers to focus on storytelling as it affects climate change and the environment in their area.

“Develop and launch joint awareness campaigns to educate the public on climate change issues. Utilize the reach of media outlets to disseminate information on sustainable practice and the impact of climate change in Nigeria.” Babatunde said.

He also admonished them to engage in regular interviews, street shows and use of social media to drive a sustainable advocacy.

In his address after receiving Osun Best Commissioner of the Year 2023, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi spoke on the need for constructive criticisms especially on government policies, programmes and activities to be played up at the expense of destructive ones, stated that, leaders at the helm of affairs should always be accorded benefits of doubts instead of bringing them and their activities down through unwarranted and baseless criticisms.

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Speaking on Osun state in relation to the Ademola Adeleke led administration, Oluomo Alimi maintained that, it is an administration that hinges its activities on openness and transparency thereby giving room for people to either commend or criticise as long as it is for the growth and development of the state and its people.

Other awardees are Akogun Lere Oyewumi as Osun Best Senator of the year, Hon. Bamidele Salam won the Best House of Representative member of the year 2023, Adewumi Adeyemi Irekandu was voted Osun Best Assembly Member, Chief Sarafat Odelade (Osun Best Special Adviser) and Comrade Waheed Saka (Activist of the Year).

Others are Engr Kehinde Raji (Philanthropist of the Year), Sarafa Ibrahim (Osun Media Aide of the year 2023), Osun local government chairman of the year (West) went to Hon. Lukman Afolabi of Ede South, Hon. Sharafadeen Abiodun Awotunde of Ifelodun LG as best Chairman from Osun Central and ArtDeco as the corporate brand of the year.

Three members of the association equally bagged Award of Excellence, they are, the Chairman of the association, Publisher of Insight Media, Jare Tiamiyu, former Chairman of OOPA, Publisher of SOJ World News, Adesoji Omosebi and the Publicity Secretary, Publisher of Voice Air Media (VAM), Bright Olorungbotemi.