Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has been awarded the best Governor in the South Western region of Nigeria on Infrastructural Development by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, B Zone.

Receiving the award at the first edition of the Annual Public Lecture and Award Presentation by the Union, at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, with the theme: ‘’2023 General Elections and Electoral Issues in Nigeria; The Media Perspective’’, the Governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to providing good road network across the State.

Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji AbdulWaheed Odusile, Abiodun, said in less than three years of taking over the mantle of leadership, his administration had been able to construct, reconstruct and rehabilitate over 600km of roads across the State, assuring not to develop a district at the detriment or exclusion of others.

According to the Governor, "in Ogun East Senatorial District, our administration has reconstructed the  Ijebu- Ode - Epe road which has opened the District to industrial development. In Ogun Central Senatorial District, the 42km Sagamu Interchange - Kobape - Abeokuta is wearing a new look, while in Ogun West Senatorial District, the 22km Atan - Agbara - Lusada road leading to the largest industrial estate in Nigeria which was in a deplorable state has reached 80 percent completion".

Prince Abiodun hinted that, though the three major highways belong to the Federal Government, his administration had decided to make them motorable for the people to ameliorate their sufferings, saying ‘’after all, there are no federal citizens’’.

While thanking the organiser of the Award for noticing and appreciating the good works of government in Ogun State, the Governor assured of more developmental projects that would be of immense benefits to citizens, calling on development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support his administration.

In his lecture, the resource person and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Prof. Shola Omotola said the media must set the agenda, provide adequate information and platform for all  candidates to reach the people and also track the campaign promises of various candidates to bring out salient points in their manifestos, so as to guide electorate when making their choice.

Speaking on the role of media in the overall success of the 2023 general elections, Prof. Omotola said journalists must be very careful in the way they analyse and report news stories to avoid promoting hate speeches and fake news, as the nation moves towards the election year to avoid heating up the polity.

In her address, the Vice President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, B Zone , Comrade Ronke Samo, said the media owns the society the duty to properly educate, enlighten and orientate them, noting that this would help the people to be able to make informed decision, especially on the upcoming 2023 general elections.