The Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with community media practitioners to promote grassroots enlightenment, participatory governance, and accountability across the state.

This assurance was given by the Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry, Mr. Adebayo Kehinde, during the 2025 Community Media Interactive Session held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the T-Block Conference Room, Alausa Secretariat.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Kehinde commended community media practitioners for their vital role in bridging the communication gap between government and the people. He noted that community media have evolved into “a powerful tool for enlightening people, empowering local communities, promoting participatory governance, and holding leaders accountable.”

He emphasised that with their unique ability to reach remote and marginalised areas, community media serve as a key platform for civic engagement, voter education, and grassroots development. According to him, “If well-managed, community media would eventually become the sole means for promoting civic engagement and development initiatives owing to its ability to provide accurate and timely information.”

However, Mr. Kehinde acknowledged the challenges faced by community media practitioners, including limited resources, censorship, and sustainability concerns. He encouraged practitioners to view these obstacles as opportunities for innovation and collaboration, urging them to leverage technology and partnerships to expand their reach and impact.

He further called on community journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, and balance in their reportage while creating channels for community feedback and engagement. “By doing so, you can build trust, credibility, and a loyal following,” he said.

The Director also reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to continue working with the community media in ensuring credible information flow to the grassroots. “We urge you to further the Ministry’s efforts by ensuring that information from us is given the wide reach it deserves,” he added.

Mr. Kehinde concluded by stressing that community media remain a vital partner in advancing democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in Lagos State.

 “Together, we can build a more informed, engaged, and democratic society,” he said.