Renowned poet and academic, Professor Niyi Osundare, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, expressed deep concern over the dangers of unchecked digital information, as he acknowledged the remarkable power of modern communication technologies in today’s journalism practice.
Speaking on the transformation of the news media in Nigeria at the 9th anniversary lecture/award ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI) of the South West Guild Online Publisher (SWEGOP), serving as a temporal rendezvous for media and public relations practitioners and scholars, Osundare reflected on the shift from traditional print to the fast-paced, borderless world of digital news.
He said, “This is new in this country. We have come to know the news as something that comes from a certain house. The papers are on the street, we buy them. But today, we are in the era of the invisible conveyor.”
Osundare described the current digital age as a “cyber miracle,” citing the wonder of being able to send stories from the comfort of ones office to the world within seconds. “That sounds like a miracle, and indeed it is a technological miracle. I respect the power of the online conveyor of information.”
However, Osundare also cautioned against the dangers that come with this new era saying, “When something is too sweet, beware, because of its bitter side. We must be careful of fake news, disinformation, and deliberate misinformation. Dangerous news travels just as fast as the good ones we desire.”
The literary scholar further raised fears that future conflicts, particularly World War, could be triggered by false information circulated online noting “It is a dangerous world that we are in. In the end, we will ask, what caused this war? Something published somewhere, and you find out it’s not even true.”
Osundare, a teacher of stylistics of media reporting, emphasised the critical role of journalists in society, describing them as courageous agents of democracy.
Prof Niyi Osundare and Amb (Dr) Yemi Farounbi
His words, “Journalists contribute a lot to the development of this country. The work you do is important. Without you, there will be no democracy in this country. You take the risks; you go where others are afraid to be. No politician likes good journalists because your interpretation and conception of truth is different from theirs.”
He also acknowledged the sacrifices journalists have made, enduring harassment, arrests, and detention, all in pursuit of truth and democratic governance begging, “Please continue to do this. We have a country to build.”
Osundare also lamented the state of Nigeria saying, “Nigeria is in a sorry state today, but let us not lose hope. We have nowhere else to go. We are good people.”
Earlier, the former Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande, in a paper titled, “Governance, Citizens’ Expectations and Barrier Breaking: Lessons for 2027 Elections”, advocated for sweeping reforms in governance and political participation to salvage the country from deepening political decay and economic depression.
Prof Niyi Osundare and Pastor Bisi Oladele
Speaking through Dr Idowu Johnson of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of The Social Science, UI, Akande, the guest speaker, laid bare the critical challenges confronting Nigeria’s democratic journey since independence, linking current national woes to persistent leadership failures and legitimacy crises.
He regreted that bourgeois have captured Nigeria stating that once a country is captured it becomes an empire being controlled by few elites with political and economic powers, adding that a country in such situation cannot develop.
According to him, over the past two years, Nigerians have endured worsening economic hardship and political instability, driven by weak governance structures and a deficit in public trust.
He emphasised that legitimacy is crucial for good governance, Akande noted that governance must be rooted in effective government performance.
SWEGOP Members
He rated the performance of the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari poor adding that Buhari’s second term was worse.
Conceptually, Akande viewed governance as the coordination and execution of public affairs through efficient leadership and institutional effectiveness, stressing that governance must be synonymous with “good governance”, entailing popular participation, equality, rule of law, transparency, accountability, and service efficiency.
He declared, “There can be no good governance without effective political leaders.”
Highlighting citizens’ expectations, he listed essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter, access to quality education and healthcare, infrastructure, economic opportunities, and government responsiveness during emergencies. He also pointed out the psychological burden of hardship, poverty, and rising hopelessness.
Akande identified barriers to good governance to include corruption, embezzlement, and maladministration, electoral malpractice and vote rigging, voter apathy and low turnout, abuse of the rule of law and judicial corruption, ethno-religious politics, political exclusion and marginalisation, especially of women and persons with disabilities, neglect of minority groups, unregulated campaign financing, and execution of irrelevant, financially draining projects.
On lessons for the upcoming 2027 elections, the guest lecturer called for comprehensive electoral and institutional reforms, emphasising the need for electronic transmission of results, robust civic education, and mass mobilisation of voters.
He urged political parties to adopt strong ideological foundations and embrace issue-based campaigns, while cautioning against divisive ethnic and religious politics.
Furthermore, he underscored the role of responsible journalism and media literacy in spreading credible information, advocating for the election of economically savvy candidates and the revival of civil society organisations currently weakened by Nigeria’s fragile political economy.
In conclusion, Akande stressed the importance of political will as the key catalyst for Nigeria’s democratic redemption warning, “Without genuine commitment from leaders and active citizen engagement, the cycle of failure will persist.”
In attendance were Ambassador Faronbi, Francis Awowole Brown and Victor Ogunyinka representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Biodun Oduwole, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dotun Oyelade, public relations of security agencies and government parastatals, General Manager of Splash FM, Tunde Olawuwo
The peak of the event was the cutting of the anniversary cake and awards given to three eminent individuals: Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy -Media and Legendary Award, Babatunde Olomu, Comptroller Apapa Command -Integrity and Excellence in Public Service Award, and Mogaji Wole Arisekola, Publisher of StreetJournal and a politician -Media I con.
In his short remarks, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, emphasised the pivotal role of online media in the nation’s democratic development.
The veteran broadcaster and administrator highlighted the limitations of traditional media and charged online publishers to embrace their responsibility as agents of truth, education, and accountability urging them to prioritise accuracy, promote media literacy, give voice to minority groups and opposition parties, and serve as watchdogs against corruption and abuse of power.
Farounbi also called on digital platforms to actively engage Nigerian youths, especially through social media, to encourage greater political participation and break the recurring cycle of recycling old political elites.
He tasked publishers with tracking campaign promises, countering hate speech, and pushing for issue-based political engagement as a means to promote peace and national unity.
In a a goodwill message delivered by Awowole Brown, representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Keynote Speaker of the event charged journalists to be professional and go extra miles in bringing objectives and truthful news to the people.
He highlighted the importance of exclusive reporting pointing out that journalists are agents of change that the nation need most in the critical moment of Nigeria.
Brown commended the resilience of journalists working under challenging economic conditions and recognised the vital influence of online media, despite the dismissive labels they sometimes face.
Earlier in his welcome address, SWEGOP President, Pastor Bisi Oladele, reaffirmed the Guild’s mission to professionalise online journalism in the South-West.
He stressed the group’s commitment to ethical reporting, press freedom, public enlightenment, and good governance.
He equally noted the Guild’s plans for continuous training and strategic discourse aimed at narrowing the trust gap between citizens and government.
