Says..”No beer Parlour story..”
‘Assumptions is the lowest form of knowledge ‘, goes the adage. This was re-echoed today Friday,18th of October ,2025 by Ismail Omipidan, CPC to former Osun State Governor,Oyetola in a lecture with the theme: Influencing the Influencer To End Gender-Based Violence in Osun State at the NUJ Press centre , Osogbo.
Omipidan says “What you know,don’t assume other people know it; share to others”.
According to Omipidan, ‘ by my experience, child abuse is rampant in the Northern part of the country. Parents , ignorantly exposing their children or wards to this monster called child abuse allowing them to hawk dangerously late in the evening. Closely related to this is Cyberbullying which takes the form of using vituperative words on people on social media and other platforms.
Omipidan is of the opinion that people should employ the use of innocuous words to contribute to issues on social media platforms to correct or air opinions instead of foul languages.
In his submission,former CPS made a Clarion call to journalists and other social media influencers to educate the Society on the ills of gender- based violence and for those doing it to stop the acts.
“For journalists, advocacy to proffer solutions should be pursued . Journalists should amplify stories of the survivors of Gender-based Violence,and make conscious efforts to bring to bare not only the stereotype -Girl- Child awareness but also Boy-Child as well.”
Parents, according to the resource person, should encourage bonding among siblings to avoid violence and irritants in the home. “Treat every child the same way and let them know they are all equal.”
Omipidan highlighted some key areas where journalists could help to propagate against gender-based Violence among which are: Use of human angle stories in their different platforms, use of correct data and Facts of occurrences to connect with the public- there should not be any beer Parlour story”, he said.
He, however, cautioned the media to be wary of disclosing their source of information,but should seek the consent of the survivors under report before publication.
“Protect the identity of those who gave you information; once you cannot be trusted,your career is at stake”,he cautioned.
Engagement Tips
Part of what Omipidan prescribed as panacea to halt or minimize Gender-based Violence include:
1.Making efforts to collaborate the State government,Chief Security Officer and other Stakeholders.
2.Be consistent in sharing or publishing your stories to curtail the spread of GBV.
3.Avoid sensationalism or games syndrome.
Other speakers at the occasion include NAWOJ Chairman, Bisola Ariwodola. and Madam Aduke Obelawo among others.
According to Madam Obelawo,”culture is dynamic,so also gender”. Women should not be seen as only fetchers of water and hewers of woods”. She counselled that the media should not underplay the demon called rape ,as rape has become a new world order,so also wife beaters”.
The media are advised to expose these ills in the society and proffer solutions on their various professional callings.
” You can walk- in to any radio station to report any case of GBV discovered,madam Obelawo concluded.
There were questions and answers while the event lasted.