December 15, 2017

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has urged journaists to continue to dedicate themselves to the tenets of their profession.

He said they should do so by being factual, urging them to put the profession on a high pedestal.

Ambode spoke on Friday at the inauguration of the upgraded Bagauda Kaltho Press centre, located within the state’s secretariat in Alausa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the press centre was built 20 years ago by the then Military Administrator of the state, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa.

The Bola Tinubu adminustration later named the press centre in honour of the late Bagauda Kaltho, a journalist killed in 1996 in the course of duty.

Ambode, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye, said that the government would continue to create conducive environment for jounalists to practise their profession.

He said that the upgrade of the press centre was in tune with his administration’s belief that journalists should be empowered to perform their duties maximally in a conducive environment.

This, he said, is in tune with global standard.

He said that in the coming year, information centres in the five divisions of the state would also be upgraded.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, in his remarks, said the facility reflects the governor’s style and standard.

In their goodwill messages, three fomer Chief Press Secretaries, Mr Sina Ogunbambo, Mr Segun Ayobolu and Mr Kehinde Bamgbetan recalled their experiences while in office.

They lauded the initiative by Ambode and efforts of his media team.

Dignatries at the event included former Chief Press Secretaries, representatives of the Nigeria Guild of Editors and Nigeria Union of Journalists, amongst others.