Politics
For past 30years, you’ve not yet disappointed me, Minister tells JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Thursday described the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, as a shinning star who has the love of the nation at heart.
Idris made this remarks while addressing members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) during its 7th Annual Conference in Abuja on Thursday, October 5, 2023, with the theme: Roadmap for socio-economic recovery and sustainability.
According to him, “When checked the invitation card and discovered that Professor Oloyede will be the chairman, I concluded that this is a function that I must attend because I have been following up with this erudite scholar for the past 30 years and he has not yet disappointed me. I am always proud of your integrity, honesty and humility.”
Speaking further, the Minister charged online publishers to promote positive reports on Nigeria in the online news space, saying it is crucial to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
Idris explained that one strategic component of the roadmap for socio-economic recovery and sustainability should be the projection of the country in a good light, adding that by so doing, foreign direct investment and other developmental plans of the country would be achieved.
He said: “If you say you want foreign direct investment, you want Nigeria to grow, and you want every good thing that happens to all great countries in the world to happen in this country, you must be prepared to project your own country; nobody else will do it for us”.
The minister therefore urged GOCOP to carry out its responsibility with patriotism and professionalism, noting that the good things happening in the country far outweigh the bad things, and they should be projected.
“As Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, you have this great responsibility to ensure that you report only the truth and to help government officials to also tell the truth; it is your responsibility and you have to uphold it.”
The minister urged the Guild not to relent in its quest to sanitize and get rid of fake news carried by online media but to continue to sustain its peer review system and disciplinary measures against erring members.
Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to return credibility to the business of government in the country while urging Nigerians to be optimistic with the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is working assiduously to chart a roadmap for the socio-economic recovery and sustainability of the country.
“You have to trust the person you have elected, and that’s the only way you can hold him accountable when he goes overboard,” he said.
He promised to tell Nigerians as it is at all times, saying such would build credibility and trust in government.
Also speaking, Dr. M.S. Abubakar who represented the former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd), instituted an annual award tagged Ishaq Oloyede Prize for Ethical Journalism in honour of the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
He noted that Professor Oloyede is a man of integrity, humility and honesty who deserves to be celebrated for putting an end to ‘Snake swallowing money in JAMB’ adding the varsity don would be 69 years old soon, “But he has achieved alot for the nation.
“I have sent many authors to him, for him to assist them write Forward for their books and he has never rejected any of them, that is how much Professor Oloyede is humble.”
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Contact: info@royalnews.com.ng
