The new Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Hon. Kehinde Bamgbetan, has assured Lagosians on the commitment of the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to remove refuse dumps from Lagos streets, adding that the challenges currently being posed by the indiscriminate refuse dumping in the State is a phase, which would soon become history.
He gave this assurance on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, during a reception tagged, ‘One on One with commissioner,’ which was organised by the State Community Media Forum at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos in honour of his appointment.
While speaking on the issue of indiscriminate refuse dumps on some streets, Hon. Bamgbetan stated that the government has put in place a clear vision to improve waste management, emphasizing that Lagosians would begin to enjoy the well-packaged waste management measures tagged “Cleaner Lagos Initiative” (CLI) being rolled out by the state very soon.
“We are not in panic mood at all because we know where we are heading for. The compactors are ready and we have the human resources and other necessary things to deal with the refuse situation in Lagos. This is a temporary difficulty, which we are going through. It’s a phase, which we are going to pass soon. As part of the efforts in demonstrating State Government’s seriousness to tackle the refuse situation, the Governor recently appointed a Special Adviser on Refuse Initiative. The CLI has also started packing refuse across the State in the government’s bid to tackle the challenge,” Hon Bamgbetan assured.
While explaining that necessary machineries have already been set in motion to ensure the success of the CLI, the Commissioner urged Community Media Practitioners to assist in spreading to the grassroots, the State Government’s commitment and efforts towards ridding the State of refuse dumps. Also in his address, Hon. Bamgbetan pledged the State Government’s support and cooperation for Community Media in recognition of their role in history. He underscored the importance of Community Media in Information Management, explaining that from inception, they always provided relevant information and have a longer lifespan as they can be read at any time; thereby, essential in passing information to the grassroots.
Hon. Bamgbetan stated that the support for Community Media by the current administration in the State was in line with its policy of government of inclusion, pointing out that the Ambode administration has continually used community driven policies as its competitive edge in governance. He tasked Community Publishers to take advantage of the huge population of the State to improve their production, while not sidetracking high ethical standards and training of their reporters. The Commissioner opined that Community Media is even more relevant now that some of them have gone online; thus, making their information global. He, therefore, advised the operators to develop their entrepreneurial skills, which, he said, if well-developed, could make them print at least 500,000 copies per day.
Furthermore, the Commissioner urged Community Media Practitioners to get acquainted with the numerous laudable projects of Governor Ambode’s administration and communicate them effectively, stressing that the policy thrust and vision must be well understood by Lagosians, especially those at the grassroots, for a better appreciation of the government projects and programmes. He concluded by assuring the Community Media Practitioners to use his new position to further the growth of Community Media in the State as well as ensure that operators continue to get State Government’s support and recognition.
Earlier, the Publishers and other Community Media Practitioners took turns to applaud Mr. Bamgbetan’s appointment as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy and also commended him for bringing Community Media to limelight under the current administration. First to speak was Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher of Oriwu Sun. He described the appointment as a right step in the right direction, considering the vast journalistic experience of Mr. Bamigbetan as well as his ability to mobilise the people of the grassroots. He also commended the Commissioner for his role in standardizing the operations of Community Media in the State and for creating a platform of engagement for the operators, while also assuring the Commissioner of their support and cooperation.
The veteran Community Journalist also lauded the community print media operators for the production of their newspaper, most of which he rated above normal standard. He, however, warned them to adhere strictly to the philosophy of community journalism and not to pretend to be national newspapers in their operations if they want to be reckoned with and make headway as Community Media Practitioners. Alhaji Olowosago emphasized the need for unity among the Community Media Practitioners as well as seminars to further enhance their professionalism.
In his own remark, Mr. Dayo Akintobi, Publisher, Ilupeju Today, commended Hon. Bamigbetan for bringing Community Media to limelight while assuring his colleagues that the elevation of the Commissioner would not prevent him from continuing to validate Community Media as vehicle through which the State Government speaks to the people at the grassroots. Mr. Odion Aleobua, the Publisher of Inside Mainland, in his own remark, congratulated Hon. Bamigbetan on his appointment and urged members of the Community Media Forum to support him so that he can succeed in his new office.
Another member of the forum, Mr. Yinka Aderibigbe, in his own comment, stated that Hon. Bamigbetan deserved the appointment and appealed to him to ensure that he carries the Community Media Practitioners along in his new office. Mr. Kunle Adelabu, Publisher of The Impact Newspaper, in his remark, praised the Commissioner for his hardwork and passion for excellence and urged him not to rest on his soars, and while corroborating Alhaji Monzor Olowosago’s statements on unity among members of the forum, he opined that there cannot be unity if there is lack of trust; hence, he urged members to build trust among themselves.
Also speaking at the gathering, Mrs. Toro Oladapo, Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Information and Strategy, congratulated Hon. Bamigbetan on his deployment to the Ministry, adding that the entire staff of the Ministry are ready to work, support and cooperate with him to ensure he succeeds in his new duty post. While assuring all the members of Community Media present that Hon. Bamigbetan would continue to carry them along in his new office, she said there is need for them to exercise patience and bear with him in some cases as he would have to shoulder more responsibilities as number one Information Officer in the State.
The event was rounded off with the presentation of a giant customized card to Hon. Bamigbetan in honour of his appointment. Others at the reception event were Mr. Tayo Akanmi, Head of ICT, Ministry of Information and Strategy; Mr. Musbau Rasaq, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Lagos State house of Assembly; Abdulwasiu Aleshinloye (Ijoba Ibile TV); Tunde Bello (Ifako-Ijaiye Post); Felix Godonu (Badagry Prime); Victor Ebimomi (The Template); Daramola Oluwatoba (Townwatch News); Idris Ama (Inside Mainland); Dayo Akintobi (Ilupeju Today); Odion Aleobua (Inside Mainland); Abel Lazarus (The Alimosho Mail); Chiedu Nwandu (Surulere Watch); Femi Da-Silva (Our Community); Lekan Lawal (Kosofe Inside-Out); Sayid Ajalaruru (Mushin News); Joseph Folorunsho (Yaba Akoka News); Oloyede Kolawole (Agege TV Online); Austine (Isolo Voice); Dr. Adeolu Olusodo (Lagos Mainland); Adejoke Sodeinde Adeyanju (Lagos Community Updates on LTV); Kunle Adelabu (The Impact); Olasunkanmi Akoni (The Vanguard Media); Najeem Kazeem (The Grassroots); Pastor Joe Unitegbulu (Oshodi Post).