OYSG Charges Information Officers on Ethics of Journalism, Public Service

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun has called on the State’s Information Officers to see the ethics of journalism and public service as their guides towards projecting the activities, policies and programmes of the government.

He said the service called for humility, dedication and commitment from the officers, to reciprocate the administration’s devotion to their welfare.

The Commissioner said this on Tuesday at an Induction Programme for some newly-converted officers at the Ministry in Ibadan, where he harped on the need for State Information Officers to be good ambassadors of the Ministry at their respective beats.

“While welcoming you all (converted officers) to the State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, it is important to make you see the need for you to be up and doing at your various beats so as to mark a remarkable impacts as the Public Relations Officer of the respective Ministry or agency.

“As far as commitment, dedication and discipline are required of you, note that your profession as journalists called for decorum and the need to be guided by rules and regulations of the profession, do not be found wanting in delivering on the expected roles you are to play at your beats and be mindful of the regulation of the public service as well.

“We are here for results and not just the challenges in the job, deliver on the job first and you can discuss the challenges later, let your principal know you for your effort and you shall later be recognized for being outstanding by your principal and the management of the Ministry.”

The induction ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Oyesola Oyedele, where papers were delivered on the “Roles of Government Information Officers in Ministries, Directorates and Agencies” by Mr. Rotimi Babalola, who is the Director Press and Public Relations (DPPR) and “Ethics of Journalism” by Mrs Busola Adetunji, Director Public Enlightenment and Mass Mobilization (DPEMM).

Also, there were papers presented by the Director Culture, Mr. Olugbenga Alade on “Roles of Cultural Officer in Preserving and Projecting Native Cultural Values” while Mrs. Adejoke Agboola, Director Tourism talked on “How To Harness Tourism To Improve State Revenue” and Mr. Rasheed Adeleke, the Director Administration and Supply, spoke on “Civil Service Rules and Discipline”.

Speaking on behalf of the converted officers, Mrs. Ogunniyi Opeyemi who converted from the State’s Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, appreciated the State government and the headship of the Ministry for giving the inductees a thorough insights into what to be expected at their various work beats.

She pledged the dedication of the officers to the tenets of the journalism profession and the regulation of the State Civil Service.