- Wasiu Adekunle Adejumo | Premier World News
As Ogun State commemorates its 50th anniversary since creation on February 3, 1976, Comrade Bunmi Adigun, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, has emphasised the critical role the media has played in the state’s evolution and its future democratic journey.
In a statement on Tuesday, marking the Golden Jubilee (Ogun @50), Adigun described the media, not merely as observers, but as active participants and “the heartbeat of the Gateway State”, whose stewardship has been vital to transparency, accountability and public engagement throughout Ogun’s five‑decade history.
Ogun, carved out of the old Western Region in 1976, has grown from a largely agrarian hinterland to a dynamic socio‑economic hub bordering Lagos and serving as a vital industrial corridor in southwestern Nigeria.
The state’s strategic location and economic progress reflect a transformation that successive administrations have shaped over the years.
Adigun pointed to the deep journalistic roots embedded in Ogun’s history, drawing from the legacies of pioneering thinkers and communicators to the modern practitioners who today uphold press freedom, democratic accountability and public discourse.
“The media will continue to hold the light”, he said, urging journalists to sustain professional integrity as Ogun charts its path into the next 50 years.
The NUJ’s role locally has been one of dedication to ethical reporting and democratic values. Ogun journalists have been commended in recent years for their commitment to responsible journalism, contributing to governance oversight and public awareness.
Adigun underscored that while Ogun has overcome many developmental challenges, persistent vigilance by an empowered and ethical press remains crucial, especially as the state approaches an electioneering period.
He called on political actors, security agencies, civil society and the electorate to partner with the media to ensure peaceful, merit‑based democratic processes.
“As Ogun reflects on its achievements in infrastructure, education and industrial expansion under successive administrations, including Governor Dapo Abiodun’s current government, the media’s role in shaping public narratives and accountability frameworks remains indispensable”, the NUJ official said.
Adigun’s remarks align with broader Golden Jubilee themes of unity, reflection and aspiration for accelerated socio‑economic progress across the Gateway State.
