Many Good Works of the Church are not well reported -Otufodunrin …shun fake news, Akinnola advises CPAN at Inauguration

The President of Journalists for Christ and Executive Director of Media Career Service, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin has stated that The Church has contributed so much to the progress and development of Nigeria, but regretted, not much credit given to her.

Otufodunrin stated this as the guest speaker during the maiden public lecture of the Christian Press Association of Nigeria (CPAN) and the inauguration of the association new executive

The event that took place in Lagos at the premises of Christ LivingSpring  Apostolic Ministry, Ikeja was hosted and supported by the General Overseer, Pastor Wole Oladiyun. It attracted players in the Christian media industry and other public spirited participants.

The event Chaired by renowned and well respected journalist and human rights activist, Mr. Richard Akinola represented by the Editor-in-Chief of Gavel, Mr. Mustapha Ogunshakin.

Otufodunrin also represented at the event by the Editor-in-Chief of NewDawn, Mr. Tunde Abatan spoke on the lecture theme, Christian News Reporting: The Prospects and National Development.

He recalled as a Mass communication student, there was no time he was ever told about Christian news reporting. But noted that the first newspaper in Nigeria “Iwe Irohin” was founded by a missionary, Henry Townsend in 1859.

“The Church has done so much in liberating the mind of people from ignorance. However, some media establishments would rather focus on portraying the church in a bad light”, he said.

Commending publishers of Christian news in Nigeria for their unrelenting efforts to ensure it become credible and encouraged them to intensify their efforts towards projecting the great things done in The Church and by The Church.

“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. The impression and general belief that Pentecostal Churches are only about prosperity preaching is not true. They have greatly helped and impacted to expand the frontier of education in Nigeria. Churches are involved in providing healthcare and over the years, they have helped to emancipate the poor in society”, he said.

According to Otufodunrin, a former online editor of The Nation Newspaper and West Africa representative of World Association of Christian Communication (WACC), “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. 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 stated.

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

Meanwhile, Mr. Akinnola, represented by Mr. Ogunshakin, in his address, said it was great to note that a body of Christian publishers is in existence and pointed out that the body needs to spread its tentacles to every corner of the Church.

Stating that, the need for a body like this cannot be overemphasised while advising CPAN to live according to its tenets.

“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 make a 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.”

Highlight of the event was the swearing-in of the newly elected president of the association, Mr. Gracious Akintayo, with other members of the CPAN executive for a period of two years.

In his remark, while thanking members of the association for the confidence in him to lead and direct the affairs of the association. He promised to be a servant leader with transparency in running of the association.

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

The well attended inauguration has Rev. Prince Obed Ezeonye, Pastor ThankGod Onyia (Facilitator and Administrator of DD Platform), Pastor Joseph Nwadubasim and Evang. (Mrs.) Divine (representing spiritual mother of the day, Bishop (Mrs.) Grace Chioma Dauji), Chief Oluremi Akinrodoye, Mr. Sunday Oguntola (Online Editor, Nation Newspaper), Barr. Olatayo Beckley among others.