…Pledges Strong Relationship With Association
By Rasaq Adebayo
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert (Bibiire) has commended the community media practitioners in Lagos State for their continuous support to the Sanwo-Olu’s administration by giving his activities positive reportage at the grassroots.
Robert gave the commendation during a courtesy visit of the Association of Practitioners of Community Media (APCOM), an umbrella body of all community media practitioners in Nigeria led by its National President, Abayomi Adejumo to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in Lagos State.
Commenting, the Special Adviser stated that the media outlets in their various communities of operation have done well in making the people at the grassroots have the knowledge of what the government is doing in their areas, and that this has made them appreciate the government.
He noted that this was evidence in the way the Lagosians trooped out to vote for Governor Sanwo-Olu for his reelection during the last governorship election.
He said: “I feel elated to have you here on this visit as community media practitioners in our various communities across the State and also commend you for your positive reportage of all the programmes and activities of the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu across all the nooks and crannies of the State.”
Robert, who admitted that previous administrations leverage on the capacity of community media, pledged to strengthen the relationship between the association and the government especially his ministry, saying partnership with the community media is a necessity for the present administration.
Speaking, the APCOM President, Abayomi Adejumo, said the courtesy visit to the ministry was to renew the partnership between the Association and the Ministry after doing the same with the Ministry if Information.
According to him, the visit is one of the multi-prong approach to strengthen synergy with critical stakeholders in advancing the community media practice in Nigeria.
Adejumo said the interaction has created an effective communication window for a people-focused dissemination of information between the government and its communities.
He also appreciated the support the ministry has given to the association over the years, which has effectively kept their activities as community media practitioners in Lagos, adding that the courtesy visit was also an opportunity to fortify the existing mutual relationship between the association and the ministry.
“As an association we believe that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has worked assiduously in the pursuit of its THEMES agenda for a greater Lagos, we are readily prepared to partner with the government towards consolidating on the gains of the first tenure for the new dispensation,” he said.
The Association’s spokesman, Mr. Oloyede of AgegeTv Online, appreciated the Special Adviser for the audience given to the Association.
He, therefore, initiated the process of bestowing upon him the special recognition award for his contribution to the development of communities across Lagos State.
In the company of the SA was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa.
Others present at the meeting from the ministry include Hon. Babatunde Adewale Jimoh; Special Adviser on Community Affairs,
Mrs. Rita Adeola; Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Toyin Adeniji; Director, Community Development Department.
Other community media practitioners present are Rev. Joe Ihitegbulem of Oshodipost, APCOM Vice President, and Mr. Idris Kasumu of Community Update.
