The Church has done well for Nigeria-Otufodunrin @ CPAN lecture…Akinnola urges body to shun fake news

The new executive of CPAN  making affirmation at their inauguration

The President of Journalists for Christ and Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin has observed that The Church has contributed a lot to the progress of Nigeria regretting however that little credit has been given to it over the years.

Otufodunrin made the observation on December 1 at the maiden public lecture of the Christian Press Association of Nigeria and the inauguration of the body’s new executive.

The event held at the Ogba,  Lagos premises of Christ Livingspring  Apostolic Ministry whose founder is  Pastor Wole Oladiyun. It attracted players in the Christian media industry.

The Chairman of the event, Mr. Richard Akinnola who is a well-respected journalist of many years and human rights activist was represented by the Editor-In-Chief of Gavel, Mr. Mustapha Kunle Ogunshakin.

Otufodunrin who was also represented at the event by the publisher of NewDawn, Mr. Tunde Abatan spoke on Christian News Reporting: The Prospects and National Development.

He said while in the university studying Mass communication, he could not recall ever being told anything about Christian reporting. He noted however that the first newspaper in Nigeria called Iwe Irohin was founded by a missionary, Henry Townsend in 1859.

According to him, the Church has done so much in liberating many people from ignorance.

He added however that some media establishments would rather concentrate on portraying the church in a bad light.

While commending the publishers of Christian news, he urged them to intensify their drive towards projecting the great things done in The Church and by The Church.

He said, “What cannot be denied is that the Nigerian Church has contributed a lot to the development of the country, but not enough credit is being given to it. There is the impression for example that Pentecostal Churches are only about prosperity preaching, but this is not true. They have greatly helped in expanding the frontier of education in the country. The Churches are involved in providing healthcare and have over the years helped to emancipate the poor in society.”

He said further that many of the good works of The Church are not well reported coupled with the Issue of persecution in the Northern parts of the country.

Otufodunrin, former online editor of The Nation Newspaper said further that,  “there is need for more and nationwide reporting of Christian issues in all ramifications. There is, indeed prospects for Christian news publishing on all available multimedia platforms.”

He noted that the cost of printing is making it difficult to continue publishing Christian magazines and newspapers urging CPAN members to explore “online publishing based on a proper understanding of the digital knowledge required to make maximum impact.”

Earlier, Mr. Akinnola, whose speech was delivered by Mr. Ogunshakin said it was great to note that a body of Christian publishers is in existence.

He pointed out that the body needs to spread its tentacles to the nooks and crannies of the Church.

He said the need for such body cannot be overemphasised while also stressing that CPAN should live according to its billing.

“You are Christian publishers. It is expected that you will show a lot of decorum in the business of reporting. We are in the era of fake news; you should be different. There is a need for you to take great pain in verifying your news sources and also ensure that you report what is factual irrespective of whose ox is gored.”

The newly elected president of the association, Mr. Gracious Akintayo, and other CPAN executive members were sworn in at the event. They are expected to run the association for a period of two years.

Akintayo promised to be transparent in the running of the association while thanking members for having confidence in him.

He assured them that he would abide by the constitution of the association and ensure that The Church gets maximum benefit from the association.