…Osun NAWOJ Chooses Solution Journalism as Development Tool
…Scholar clamors that mind shift of Space, focus and Roles must be positively utilized…
By Richard Ayinde, Osogbo.
Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Osun State chapter, has called on Nigerians to embrace solution Journalism as a development tool for a better Nigeria.
This is as Nigerias’ Survival was said to be based on knowledge acquisition for the society by the Nigerian Senate Spokesperson Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru
The Osun NAWOJ Chairperson Mrs Motunrayo Ayegbayo declared that it’s time for the narrative of news dissemination in Nigeria to change from negative to positive.
At a-day capacity building workshop for women Journalists in Osun, Mrs Ayegbayo maintained that as mothers, advocates,agents of change and professional journalists,the narrative change will greatly help in calming the unpleasant news flying around.
Ayegbayo called on stakeholders to support the Journalism solution advocacy, saying that writing kidnapping, rape, assault stories-among others, she added that Nigeria can be restored to the peaceful, flourishing and developed country it once was.
Similarly Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru in his address at the program which held at NUJ Press Center Osogbo, pointed out that journalism requires that the professionals expand their horizon of intellectual acquisition.
The lawmaker representing Osun Central frowned at journalists who take delight in misinforming the reading public with screaming headlines whose 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 bastion of lies and calumnies.
Senator Ajibola Basiru enjoined journalists to speak truth to powers that be, expose corruption and abuse of power using the instrumtality 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.
The Guest Speaker, Mr Rasheed Adebiyi in his lecture themed Web 2.0 Solution Journalism and the Quest for Nigeria’s Development, asked, what is Nigeria doing well as a country and how much of it do we hear?
The Scholar who is a lecturer at Fountain University Osogbo stated that it is a norm for people to scream about problems, while they whisper about solution, he added that mindshift of Space mainstream to virtual, focus problem to solution and role of watch dog to guide dog must be utilized.
Adebiyi, who explained that solution journalism focuses on response to social problem, drew insights and looks for evidence, just as it reports limitation, said that solution journalism is talking about the problem, asking questions,know who is following up, or doing it better, as well as holding people accountable for heir actions.
While maintaining that Solution journalism is not about hero worship or public relations among others, he used the medium to charge all to move the countrys development story forward, while Journalists keep searching and writing solution stories.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Osun Council Union of Journalists, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu commended Senator Basiru for always being accessible to his constituents and the Press within and outside the State. Comrade Ajadosu said the disposition of Dr Ajibola Basiru to the media in the State is unprecedented.
He added that the discourse on solution journalism is timely and charged the women Journalists to put the narrative discourse to good use.
Also the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Students Affairs and Mobilization, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji lauded the female journalists for choosing solution journalism as a tool for development.
He added that it reflects their roles as women adding that they are conversant with issues and prefer peace and safety for all.
Participants at the workshop were drawn from all chapels in Osun state.
