The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has commended the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council for recognising the importance of training and capacity building for journalists.
He said this while addressing journalists at the one-day Google Training held at the Amphitheatre Hall, Dominion Broadcast House, Ibadan.
The commissioner praised the Akeem Abass-led NUJ for correctly narrowing its focus on Artificial Intelligence training as a way of tackling the myriad of challenges facing journalism practitioners in an ever-changing and dynamic world.
“I agree entirely with Mr Akeem Abas that AI can only endanger the jobs of journalists who refuse to learn,” Oyelade said.
He urged journalists to seize the opportunity provided by the training, stressing that the initiative would help them stay relevant, sharpen their skills, and improve professional practice.
“The challenges of information gathering are growing by the day, and we cannot afford to be left behind,” he said, looking around the packed hall.
Oyelade, drew from his 47 years in journalism and his experience as former state vice chairman of NUJ in 1984 and 1985.
He cited the union’s successful planning of the 2-day January AI training programme and today’s one- day google training programme as examples of its readiness to meet modern challenges.
Earlier, the chairman of the Oyo State NUJ, Akeem Abas, expressed his appreciation to the dignitaries and journalists who participated in the second Artificial Intelligence training programme. He noted that the initiative, organized in partnership with Google Africa, is designed to equip journalists with digital skills and strengthen their capacity for ethical and impactful reporting.
Abas emphasized that journalists who embrace AI stand to gain a professional advantage. He also called for support in establishing a fact-checking platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The chairman expressed gratitude to Google Africa for the collaboration, he reaffirmed the union’s strong commitment to professional excellence.
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