The symposium which saw the gathering of a collection of distinguished panelists who delivered papers on the theme of the symposium tagged 'The Role of Journalism in Nation Building' was anchored by ace comedian Gbenga Adeyinka.
The well attended symposium chaired by chief Ajibola Ogunsola (former Chairman Punch Nigeria Limited) had Mr. Segun Adeniyi (former editor Thisday) as the keynote speaker while Mr. Simon Kolawole (former editor Thisday), Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene (former Executive Director , Punch Newspaper) Mr. Edward Dickson (MD Nigerian Tribune), Mrs. Funke Aboyade (SAN) (former editor Thisday Law) , Femi Adeshina (President, Nigerian Guild of Editors) and Dele Momodu (publisher Ovation magazine) served as panelists.
In his address, Simon Kolawole, one of the panelists, said that lack of independence of the media is a factor hindering the ability of the media to contribute to nation building because most media houses are established by politicians who use the platform to propagate their agenda and political ambition instead of using it to contribute towards nation building.
On his part, the President of the Guild of Editors Femi Adeshina remarked that Nigerian journalism is a child of activism and the media has a role in national reconstruction as no meaningful development can be achieved without the 4th estate of the realm.
At the end of the Symposium the panelists agreed to the fact that ethical journalism should be the watchword among journalists who are saddled with the responsibility of reporting and disseminating factual reportage which is essential to nation building.
In his remarks, Tunde Bakare thanked all who graced the symposium saying he was delighted that the his birthday is being celebrated with a debate that had the issue of nation building as its thrust.
"I appreciate the presence of all at this symposium and trust that you were impacted enough to make a decision to participate in the building of our nation, Nigeria.
"Our nation will be truly built and Nigeria will be great in our own time. Everything about Nigeria concerns and disturbs me. I say here that the responsibility of nation building is the job of all Nigerians and not journalists alone.
"What journalists need now is encouragement and not castigation and sometimes incarceration. There are a lot of pen-pushers that have contributed their own quota towards nation building. It is an evolution and I am trusting God that we will get there.
"All we need do is to raise men that will champion the cause of nation building and out of the old Nigeria a new vibrant Nigeria will emerge."
The celebrant, Tunde Bakare has received national and international attention for his televangelism, which has sometimes been critical of the Nigerian government.
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