Reps aspirant promises to tackle fake journalists

Adejoke Adeleye/Abeokuta

A House of Representatives aspirant from Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Ogun State, Otunba Gbolahan Macjob has promised to sponsor bills that will checkmate swindlers, mediocres in the media industry and help specialists by giving them allowances, if he won.

Macjob, who is contesting under Young Democratic Party, YDP, said as a media professional, he would sponsor bills to eradicate untrained journalists, who are giving journalism a bad name.

The former Press Officer to former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel revealed this while declaring his ambition at the Press Centre, Iwe-Iroyin House, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

His words: “I will sponsor bills that will compel the publishers or proprietors to be responsible and ensure they don’t owe journalists salaries any longer.

“That is why, when I get to Abuja, I’m going to set a machinery in motion to clean the industry of charlatans and mediocres. The way journalism is being practiced in Nigeria is appalling and worrisome to the way it’s being practiced in other parts of the world.

Macjob who is a producer and a director for BBC world service in the United Kingdom said “youth empowerment will be another major aspect to look into as a lawmaker.”

The aspirant also assured that he would make sure that the disabled are relevant in the state.

The BBC director claimed that the presence of moneybags and charlatans in the industry has bastardized journalism profession in Nigeria.

“I picked the YDP because we are disenfranchised by other popular parties. I believe YDP will make history and win in the forthcoming election,” he said.

Ogun State chairman of the Young Democracy Party Prince Obasanjo Obasesan said at the occasion: “YDP’s door is open for any fresh aspirant who has the intention to vie for any post in 2019 general elections.”

While answering questions from journalists on how the party would impact on the elderly, the YDP South West Coordinator, Segun Nelson said the word “Young” should not discourage us because we also have positive mind for everybody across the state.

Also speaking, Comrade Abidemi Aboaba who is also aspiring for the State House of Assembly in Abeokuta South State Constituency II, promised to bring governance to the doorstep of his constituents, if elected in 2019.

Aboaba, a graduate of Agric Engineering from University of Ilorin pledged to invest in agriculture and empower the youths with modern agricultural tools.