An Ibadan-born philanthropist and politician, Abisoye Fagade, has revealed his ambition to become the Governor of Oyo State.
He revealed this when asked to comment on the rumour making the rounds that he may challenge the incumbent governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for the governorship race come 2023, at a luncheon organised by the South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) on Friday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, assuring that he would perform better than former governors in the state if given the opportunity.
Fagade, a cerebral Integrated Marketing Communication Consultant is the founder of Sodium Brand Solutions, Alexia Media Solution and Alexia Oil & Gas Limited.
The founder of Oyo Si Ma Dun (OSMD) Foundation charged Nigerian youth to effect positive change and contribute to the development of their respective society with the resources available to them.
Fagade, who enjoined the Nigerian government at all levels consciously rebuild and promote good value system in the country by waging war against indiscipline, encouraged Nigerian parents to do the same for their children.
The Managing Director of Abisoye Fagade Foundation and Sodium Group opined that corruption which has eaten deep into the Nigerian society is part of the indices of the loss of a good value system.
“I want to encourage every good Nigerian to participate in politics. You don’t need to contest but be actively involved in electing selfless leaders, with integrity, who has the what it takes to develop the society.
“Until we start considering what is in it for us, not what is in it for me, the Nigerian society will continue to become worse,” Fagade said.
He, however, charged publishers of online news media to always observe the ethical standard in their operations and promote quality contents.
“As professionals, you should always balance your stories, avoid blackmail but publish stories that will set an agenda which will enhance progress and development of the society.
While charging the SWEGOP leadership to always ensure proper training and retraining of members of the association so as to eliminate quackery in journalism, the Ibadan-born Integrated Marketing Communication guru charged the association to always protect and defend its members.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the association, Mr Olayinka Agboola, earlier in his welcome address said the group which came into existence about five years ago is an epitome of ‘ethical revolution’ in online journalism.
Agboola described online news publishing as a vocation that obliterates practitioners’ view of socializing, adding that “It kills the professional’s social life. This is because one is on duty 24 hours, seven days!”
He maintained that the association will set a standard that will enhance the practice of developmental journalism and ensure proper training and retraining of members to enhance professionalism.
The Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Oyo State Chapter, Mr Demola Babalola, in his brief remarks commended the leadership of the SWEGOP and online news publishers in the state.
Babalola promised that online news publishers would be integrated into the Union as a chapel very soon.
Babalola who is also an online publisher cautioned against frivolous and unethical practice of journalism.
