I have watched, with deep concern, how the lines between journalism and broadcasting are being carelessly blurred in Ibadan. As someone who has devoted years to the practice of investigative journalism, I cannot stay silent while many On-Air Personalities (OAPs) parade themselves as journalists simply because they hold a microphone or sit in a studio.

Let me state it plainly: a journalist is trained to gather, verify, analyse, and report facts. My work as a journalist begins long before I speak into a microphone. It takes research, interviews, documents, and a constant weighing of truth against falsehood. That is what journalism is – service to the public through truth.

A broadcaster, on the other hand, is a presenter. He or she may read news, play music, anchor programs, or entertain listeners. Broadcasting is about delivery. Journalism is about content. Both are important, but they are not the same.

The problem in Ibadan today is that many presenters who specialise in banter, slang, and social media virality now call themselves “journalists.” They are not. I say this with all sense of responsibility: if you have not gone through the rigours of news gathering, fact-checking, and ethical reporting, then you are not a journalist. You are a broadcaster, and there is dignity in that role.

What worries me most is the damage this confusion causes. When broadcasters misrepresent themselves as journalists, the public begins to doubt the credibility of real journalism. Sensationalism takes the place of facts. Noise replaces truth. And the noble profession I belong to is dragged into ridicule.

I am not against broadcasters. I work with them daily, and I respect their craft. But they must respect mine too. A journalist digs out the story; a broadcaster delivers it. Neither should wear the other’s title without merit.

If Ibadan wants to retain its reputation as Nigeria’s media hub, it must correct this error. Broadcasters should embrace their role proudly, and those who desire to be journalists must get the training and discipline the profession demands.

I owe it to my profession – and to the public that depends on it – to keep saying this: a broadcaster is not automatically a journalist. The earlier Ibadan’s media practitioners accept this truth, the better for us all.

As part of efforts to support the rulling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Lagos businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose has hit the ground running by donating logistics materials to the 57 LGA chairmen of the APC in Lagos State to ease the exercise that started yesterday.

The well attended and colourful presentation was made yesterday shortly after a brief meeting with the 57 LGA chairmen at the prestigious Cathedral Church Primary School on Broad Street, Lagos Island.

Items presented to the chairmen included 57 HP desktop printers, 57 Lenovo Laptops, 57 Generators, 57 MTN wifi with subscription for 6 months, 57 Electric standing fans, 57 surge protector extension leads, 57 HP mouse and banner for public awareness for the registration.

The presentation came along with the donation of a whopping sum of 200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) to each LGA chairman for the mobilisation of those who will do the job for 6 months.

Speaking at the gathering, Ajose said that he did this because of the great jobs President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government is recording both at the federal and state levels, who he said will do more when he is reelected in 2027.

He stated that the secret of continuity is to win elections and that to win elections, the APC must record massive votes, saying that this can only be achieved, when members of the public have access to vote and that the means of voting is the PVC.

He added that this was why they wanted the people to get thier PVCs, and the reasons they were supporting the party with logistics and manpower.

Speaking further, he stated that people who have PVCs through the support of APC will be willing and happy to vote for the party and that this was why they were not just calling on members of the the public to enrol in the exercise, but provide them with the means to ease the process at all cost.

Ajose said that he wanted to recruit more members for the APC, and that “we want the exercise to go to the grassroots, reach the common man and make a positive change in our society,” he said.

The 49-year-old philanthropist and an indigene of Badagry, Lagos State and CEO of Samuel Ajose Foundation, told newsmen that the awareness campaign and support is part of planning ahead the victory of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and that his victory can only come with massive and bulk votes so that he will continue the great job he started ranging from the Lagos-Calabar expressway, the approved seaport in Badagry, and other big infrastructure and gigantic amenities across the nation.

He now appealed to members of the public across the 57 LGAs to go out enmasse to utilise the opportunity by enrolling for their PVCs, which he said will also be useful to them in other areas apart from exercising their franchise.

Commenting on the exercise, the Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who was ably represented by his Deputy, Hon. Moshood Mayegun, applauded Ajose for his love for the party, courage, sportsmanship and dedication to the party and members of the public, saying, “truly, you are a member of our great party and your actions today have shown the undiluted love you have for the party and members of the public and you have written your name in gold in the hearts of the party members.”

Mayegun said that the party is so grateful with the materials and that it will be a smooth exercise in collaboration with what the INEC has provided and that it is a pathway to victory for the party in the coming polls.

In his acceptance speech, The chairman of the conference 57 LGA Chairman in Lagos State Hon. Mayegun Balley Adeogun and his Deputy Hon. Rasheed Shobaloju spoke on behalf of others thanked Ajose for the donations and promised that the materials will be used judiciously and that they will deliver on the mandate given to them.

The duo said his singerler action would also strengthen the administrative capacity and competence of the 57 LGA party secretariat.

Records have it that Mr. Ajose, a notable philanthropist, contributed to the victory of the 15 APC chairmanship candidates from Badagry division as he gave them 10 million naira each, he also empowered 250 female traders in Badagry with 200 thousand naira each for growing their businesses, and he also donated another 18 million naira to support the capital base of the 57 LGA corporative society yesterday.

INEC began the continuous voters registration exercise on Friday, August 15.

Over 15,000 persons have applied for 3,000 vacant positions in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who announced this in Uyo during the monthly prayer service, said the process would be transparent and based on merit.

Stating that the selection would be based on computer-based test that would produce instant result, Eno said, “there are no slots, and there is no favouritism”.

Previous recruitment exercises in the state were marred by lack of transparency and favoritism that generated anxiety among applicants.

When the state government earlier announced plans to recruit 3,000 civil servants, it said 1, 000 personnel would each be hired into the teaching and health sectors, and the core civil service.

The 2023 National Bureau of Statistics report pegged the unemployment rate in Akwa Ibom at 34.9 percent, while a study claimed that 52 percent of youths in the state are unemployed.

To help salvage the situation, the state government initiated employment programs for youths, including the ARISE Youth Employment Portal, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Program, and other initiatives focused on job creation and empowerment.