Sanwo-Olu, media experts honour Jakande, seek credible elections at memorial lecture

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined media experts and prominent Nigerians to celebrate the enduring legacy of Lateef Jakande, the state's first civilian governor and a pioneer president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). The occasion was the 4th Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture, held in Lagos with the theme, “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections.”

“

Jakande is a lesson to all of us. Alhaji Jakande was loyal to the people of Lagos. He was loyal to journalism. He demonstrated that journalists are not only good writers and broadcasters but can also become excellent administrators and outstanding public servants. Journalism prepares people for leadership. Jakande has shown us that if you make a journalist a soldier, he will be a better soldier. If you make a journalist a governor, he will be a better governor.

Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded Jakande as a figure whose life offered profound lessons for both media practitioners and public officials. He emphasized Jakande's loyalty to Lagos and to journalism, stating that his life demonstrated that journalists can excel not only in writing and broadcasting but also as effective administrators and public servants. "Journalism prepares people for leadership," Sanwo-Olu remarked, adding that a journalist made governor would be a better governor.

The governor also voiced concerns regarding the proliferation of fake news, cautioning that phone ownership does not equate to journalistic expertise. He highlighted the significant financial investment media organizations make in producing authentic news, deploying reporters nationwide and globally. Sanwo-Olu criticized digital platforms for often using this content without proper acknowledgment or compensation, while profiting substantially. He urged media organizations to collaborate with the government to ensure Big Tech companies fairly compensate them for the value derived from their content, stressing that financial sustainability is crucial for the media to fulfill its democratic responsibilities.

“

Yet digital platforms often use this content without adequate acknowledgement or compensation while earning significant revenue from it. I urge the media to work with the Federal Government to ensure that Big Tech companies fairly compensate media organisations for the value they derive from their content. Without financial sustainability, media organisations will struggle to continue performing their democratic responsibilities.

Eze Anaba, the NGE president, paid tribute to Jakande as an iconic journalist, statesman, and administrator whose influence continues to inspire generations. Anaba explained that the lecture series was established to honor Jakande's significant contributions to journalism, public service, and governance. He noted that the NGE itself was founded in 1961 by Jakande and his peers to strengthen the field of journalism during a critical period.

“

For those who may be unfamiliar with its origins, this lecture series was established in honour of the iconic journalist, statesman, politician and former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to journalism, public service and governance.