Police Commend ASKOMP For Organizing Training for Members
Kwara State Police Command has commended Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) for organizing Capacity Building Training for its members.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara Command, Princess Adetoun Ejire stated this on Wednesday while speaking at one-day Capacity Building Training held at Crystal House Ilorin.

Ejire noted that Police would continue to maintain good relationship with journalists and other members of the society.
“I must commend every member of this association for your service to Kwara State in ensuring fair reportage of news. Your efforts are well appreciated and we must continue to be partners in progress for us to keep enjoying a peaceful state. The leadership of this association has done well putting together this kind of training. The place of learning and relearning cannot be overemphasised.” She noted.
In his lecture, a Lecturer in University of Ilorin, Dr Abdulrasheed Saadudeen implored Journalists to uphold ethics of their profession during news gathering and reporting stage.
He emphasized the importance of journalists in generating informative and educative content for the society and highlighted their crucial role as agenda-setters and opinion moulders.
His words: “Journalists play crucial role in keeping their people informed about happenings in their respective environment or society. They can also serve as agenda-setters and opinion moulders. Therefore, to do this job effectively, you are expected to have a strong command of the English language as a medium of expression and cultivate the habit of building relationships and networking with sources when gathering information for your reports.”
On his part, Taofeek Olateju Esq while speaking on the topic: Strategic Law Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cautioned Police and prominent personalities against using exparte order to intimidate and harass journalists.
According to him, if someone feels aggrieved by slander or libelous publication, they should seek legal recourse by approaching the appropriate court, such as a civil court or high court, with jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter instead of petitioning the police or security agencies to silence the person.
He added“The 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees freedom of expression in Section 39(1). Therefore, no other law should criminalize this freedom. Any law inconsistent with this provision would be null and void. There is no need for additional laws to criminalize freedom of expression. Defamation, injurious falsehood, and criminal defamation are clearly defined in our constitution. Journalists doing their work legitimately should be protected and if someone feels aggrieved by slander or libelous publication, they can approach a civil court or high court instead petitioning the police to silence or intimidate the journalists.”
In his remarks, ASKOMP Chairman, Salihu Shola Taofeek appreciated stakeholders in Kwara for making the works of online journalists easier through strategic partnership and support.
“This training underscores our desire to continue to improve and sharpen our skills as demanded by the kind of job we do – online media business. We know it is important that we improve our skills to match the standard requirements of the ever growing new media. We appreciate the support of every stakeholder in Kwara State and it is our belief that the symbiotic relationship between us will continue.” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman used the medium to announce Taofiq Olateju Esq as the official Legal Adviser of the association.