Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Friday, said he  would withdraw the N1billion suit  filed in the state High Court against African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles in the spirit of forgiveness.

The governor spoke during a cocktail he organised for the national and state executive members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Government House in Ibadan.

“This evening affords me the opportunity to settle with some of old friends. People ask me what I am doing in politics because I am too blunt to be in politics. But if some of us don’t come in, the bad guys will come in. I already have Tribune with me in the court but we will settle with them eventually.

“Those guys I’m quarelling with today and I,  started together. When I said I wanted to be a politician, they came and supported me. And they were good guys, good writers and very honest guys. But along the line we quarrelled. It is very easy for me to quarrel and easier for me to settle quarrel.

“And let me say this. I am very happy with this set of executives and journalists that I have seen since we came on board. Having spoken and interacted with them, I can easily say this type of journalists that I have seen are certified, capable of good writing and good character. Those who know me know I don’t mince my words,” Ajimobi said.

He charged journalists to see the task of building a virile democratic nation as a collective responsibility, while urging them to be fearless in constructive criticisms of government policies but commend governments when they implement good policies.

The NUJ president, Mallam Garba Mohammed, commended the governor for his hospitality and assured him of the cooperation and support of the media for his programmes and policies.

Comments (0)

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment