By Nudoiba Ojen
The League of Veteran Journalists, Ekiti State Chapter has named Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its Grand Patron.
The Chairman of the League, Prince Kayode Oni, said that the veteran journalists had also concluded arrangement to honour posthumously an eminent Ekiti indigene, the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, through annual public lectures.
According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the League in Ekiti State, High Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, the League chairman made the disclosure, in Ado Ekiti during a visit to the Office of the Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, for onward delivery of the Veteran’s letter conveying choice of the governor as Grand Patron to Oyebanji.
Oni, who praised Oyebanji for appointing right people including Oyebode to help him manage the affairs of the state, also gave the Special Adviser automatic membership admission to the league.
The League chairman said, “The League has made a decision to make Governor Biodun Oyebanji the Grand Patron of the association in line with its Constitution. The Special Adviser should help deliver the message to the Governor.
He said, “A formal letter containing the date of the inauguration of the Governor as the Grand Patron would soon be delivered to the Governor through the office of the Chief Press Secretary.
“We hail Governor Oyebanji for appointing right people to help him manage the affairs of the state. The appointment of Mr Oyebode is one of the great appointments made by the Governor into vital positions. The Veteran Journalists have been monitoring the activities and style of Governor Oyebanji closely since the beginning of his administration in Ekiti State and concluded that the Governor has so far performed creditably well.
“The League is planning to celebrate one of the great sons of Ekiti State, the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, through annual public lectures”.
Oyebode, who expressed delight at the visit, assured that conscious efforts would be made in ensuring that more regular meetings take place between the veterans and his office, assuring the League of continued support.
He appreciated the league for giving him automatic membership of the association, promising that genuine efforts would be made in ensuring that more Information Officers are given refresher courses while those without journalism training would be advised to attend schools of journalism to enhance their performance on the duty.
The SA urged the veterans to assist in curbing quackery in the journalism profession, adding that there was the need to curb the negative trend of fake news in the state.
