OGSIEC UNDERSCORES MEDIA IMPORTANCE IN ELECTORAL PROCESS

The media is an essential and indispensable tool in the attainment of free, fair and credible election across all levels, as such, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), will utilise it to propagate, educate and re-orientate the people on the forth coming Local Government election.

Chairman, OGSIEC, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu who made the submission during the media oversight visit of the State Media Analysis Team (SMAT) to the Commission today in Abeokuta, maintained that the media was instrumental in any electoral process, just as it is also a strong pillar in the enthronement of good governance.

“It is gratifying to note that the visit of your team has given credence to the indispensable role of the media in the electoral process in this country and Ogun State in particular.  It is not for nothing that the media is referred to as the fourth estate of the realm. Once you take the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, the next most important pillar in governance is the media.  We recognise the importance of your team”.

He posited that one of the key components of a credible election is the sensitisation of the electorates to perform their civic responsibilities of electing candidates of their choice, calling on the SMAT to collaborate with the Commission on regular dissemination of information.

Speaking earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Communication, who is also the SMAT Chairman, Hon. Remmy Hazzan, noted that the visit was a media oversight function that could not have come at a better time than when the State is preparing for the Local Council elections.

“Media oversight generally is targeted at looking at how agency fared in the media, the print, the electronic and even the cyberspace, and at the end of the exercise, we will be able to come up with specific reports as it touches all agencies. You can pattern your media handling along the line of professional advice”, he said.

Corroborating, a member of the team and Consultant to the Governor on Media, Ifekayode Akinbode said the visit was aimed at ascertaining the level of media engagement of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, with the view to making them function optimally.

The team commended the Information Department of the Commission, charging it to intensify efforts on the social media handles usage generate more followers.