By Ola Ajayi

IBADAN—FORMER Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has urged journalists in the country to intensify efforts in demonstrating exemplary ethical standards of their profession as the 2011 elections draw near.

He showered encomium on newsmen for accurate reportage of events in the present democratic dispensation, saying it had further concretized the unity of the country.

The media, he noted, “has played a very critical role in the advancement of our dear country, beginning from the pre-colonial era when the media kept the colonial government on its toes on issues concerning the rights and dignity of Nigerians.”

Represented by Dr. Adeola Akande, at the launch of a magazine “Score Magazine”, the former number two citizen in the country said the history of the country would not be complete if the media was left out.

“The media is a major institution whose contribution to democracy, good governance and development can not be overemphasized. It would be difficult to write the country’s history without devoting a large portion of it to journalistic efforts of people like the Late Chief Obafemi  Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azkiwe  and late Chief Ladoke Akintola among others”