COMMUNITY MEDIA: “A TOOL TOWARDS PEOPLE’S MOBILISATION”, SAYS FESTUS KEHINDE

The television station boss also noted that, the community media remained an avenue used to enlighten people, with the provision of timely and relevant information, concerning their socio-political environment and sustaining cultural values.

“The role of the community media in Rwanda was identified as the major catalyst for the ethnic cleansing and genocide that threatened the very existence of that nation in 1994. No wonder there was a major outcry in Nigeria when it was proposed that a community radio be established to control activities of nomadic herdsmen who frequently clashed with farmers in their quest before pasture for their herds. Herein lies the dangerous roles of community media when not properly controlled.

“In contemporary world, such element of the power of the media has become more entrenched in the minds of people and has also advanced in terms of practice and in the various options available for people’s consumption.  We have identified that community media play alternative, oppositional, participatory and collaborative roles in our national development,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi in his speech, gave different tips for security watch, adding that one should not be careless about security issue in his community.

“If in the night, your generator suddenly went off, do not go out to check it, especially if you just serviced it. This is one of the new ways, kidnappers used to attack people. If also you hear tap running in the night, don’t go out to check it with the attempt to lock it, leave it until the following day, and you will pump another one. This is plot to kidnap people by kidnappers” he said.

Penpushing also reports that Oyeyemi advised people to always be cautious of their utterances especially when on phone call and when at  religious centres, adding that “if you’re moving and observe that someone is following you, drive to a place and allow the person to go or if you’re going to your house, you can drive pass your house. One needs to be security conscious.

The police image maker disclosed that, “the new Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Erimnson, will come up with a flier with all phone numbers of all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the control rooms around the State”

Penpushing reports that, Publisher, Prestige Newspapers, Dada Olanipekun, in his own remarks,  urged the Department of Security Service (DSS) to obey court rulings, and should release Omoyele Sowore who has been in detention months ago.

The Publisher also called on the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade to release Agba Jalingo,a journalist  who was detained for criticising his government.

The highlight of the ceremony was honoured bestowed on some personalities which include;  Ogun State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Hammed Abodunrin, Provost, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Dr. Ayodele Ajayi, the Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Olalekan Kuye.

Penpushing reports that also honoured, were; Dangote Groups of Company, Commander Ganiyu Olaniyan, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Vice President, Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaniyan,and  former Head of Service Ogun State , Dupe Adekunle, among others.