Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, was absent from the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary and 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, on Monday, despite being the union’s Grand Patron.
The governor neither attended the ceremony nor sent a representative, although the council said it had formally invited him.
His absence departed from the practice in previous years, when he reportedly delegated representatives to declare the union’s celebrations open whenever he was unavailable.
The ceremony was instead declared open by a former NUJ National President, Prince Lanre Ogundipe, who represented the current National President, Alhassan Yahya.
Ogundipe congratulated the council on attaining the 60-year milestone, describing it as the oldest NUJ council in the country and commending its contributions to the union.
Reacting to the governor’s absence, Oyo NUJ Chairman, Comrade Akeem Abas, said the council was not perturbed, insisting that the development would not distract journalists from their responsibility of holding government accountable.
Abas said the government had been properly invited, adding that journalists would continue to discharge their duties professionally, irrespective of political considerations.
“We will continue to practise our profession ethically, without fear or favour, irrespective of whose ox is gored,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to journalists’ welfare, press freedom, professional development and the growth of the union’s institutions.
The anniversary lecture was delivered by Chief Dare Babarinsa, Chairman of Gaskia Media Limited, who advocated the retention of Nigeria’s North-South rotational presidency arrangement, describing it as important to national unity and political stability.
In his lecture titled ‘Six Decades of Legacy, Milestones and Lessons for the Future’, Babarinsa urged journalists to defend democracy, embrace digital innovation and create opportunities for younger professionals and women in the media industry.
He warned that traditional media organisations risked becoming irrelevant if they failed to adapt to changing realities, describing journalists as custodians of national memory and urging them to sustain their contributions to nation-building.
A former chairman of the Oyo NUJ Council, Comrade Adewumi Faniran, also expressed disappointment over Makinde’s absence, recalling the role the union’s press centre played in the governor’s emergence in 2019.
Faniran said Makinde’s hand was raised at Dapo Aderogba Hall, the press centre, on March 5, 2019, by political leaders, including former Oyo State Governor and current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, ahead of the March 9 governorship election.
He said it was disappointing that the governor, whose political journey was associated with the centre, neither attended the anniversary nor sent a representative.
Also speaking, former council chairman, Mogaji Soladoye Adewole, and former NUJ Vice-President for Zone B, Mogaji Cosmas Oni, commended Babarinsa for his lecture and praised the current leadership for sustaining development at the press centre.
The Onigbeti of Igbeti Kingdom, Oba Bashir Abioye, urged journalists in Oyo State to embrace digital technology and artificial intelligence while maintaining professionalism, ethical standards and Yoruba Omoluabi values.
The monarch also called on media practitioners to use their skills to promote good governance, national development, patriotism and moral values.
He congratulated the council on its 60th anniversary, describing it as a significant milestone in its history of professionalism, excellence and contributions to nation-building.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
