President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Waheed Odusile, has described the position of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, as the most prominent title in Yorubaland.
Speaking yesterday when he led members of the executive of the union, on a courtesy visit to congratulate Adams on his new status, Odusile said the leadership of the association considered it imperative to visit the new Aare Ona Kakanfo to identify with him and meet minds on the current issues in the country.
He applauded the efforts of Adams for promoting unity in Yorubaland.
Expressing concern on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly, on the activities of the herdsmen across the country, he expressed confidence in the ability of Adams to promote the interest of the Yoruba race and urged him to use his new position to seek peaceful co-existence among various institutions in Yorubaland, particularly, the traditional rulers.
“We congratulate you on your new status as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, your position is no mean status in Yorubaland. The situation in the country is becoming worrisome. As Yoruba leader, we urge you to use your office to call Yoruba leaders to come together and find lasting solution to the issue of the herdsmen and other security challenges in the country.’’
In his response, Adams charged the leadership of the fourth estate of the realms to champion the call for restructuring and true federalism in the country, where every federating unit will develop at their own pace.
He said the role of the media in nation-building cannot be over-emphasised and described journalists as the mirror of the society. He urged the union to be vibrant and radical in its reportage and said by virtue of his new status, the top priority of his agenda as the Aare Ona Kakanfo is to promote the unity of the race.
“For Nigeria to become the country of our dream, journalists have a prominent role to play. They are in the best position to moderate the opinions of the people because whatever they published as news carry much weight,’’ he said.