The personal assistant, Gbenga Adesuyi, to the Oyo state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has stepped aside from the position over wrong allegations levelled against his personality by the Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, (BCOS), Mrs Dotun Olaitan.
Gbenga made the resignation known in a release personally signed and issued to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo state’s capital, citing character’s defamation.
Adesuyi, who joined BCOS on 14th August, 2019, resigned from the Corporation on 22nd November, 2022 and subsequently joined the Oyo state’s Ministry of Information on 23rd November, 2022, has been embattled to the extent of removal from some social media platforms.
Globalnewsline learnt that the last straw that broke the Camel’s back occurred during an alleged visit by some BCOS news crew dispatched to interview the esteemed legal scholar and philanthropist, Chief Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti, on the 4th and 5th September, 2024.
A story was said to have been circulated over the WhatsApp space concerning an unexpected turn of event during the trip to Ado Ekiti which reads:
“The interview which delved into various critical issues ranging from legal reforms to community development, extended longer than initially planned, filling the evening with an engaging discussion.
“Acknowledging the crew’s contributions and exhaustion after a long day of work, Chief Babalola extended his hospitality by arranging comfortable accommodations at the ABUA hotel, Ado Ekiti, ensuring they could rest and prepare for their journey back to Ibadan.
“However, as the crew was getting ready to check out and return home the following morning, the receptionist at the hotel made a startling discovery. She noticed that a decorative flower vase adorning the hotel’s lobby was missing. Concerned, the receptionist conducted a brief inquiry and eventually directed her questions towards Mrs Olaitan, among the last guests to have been seen near the area where the vase was displayed.
“The situation escalated quickly as the Chairman was confronted about the vase’s disappearance. A group of witnesses, including members of the news crew from the broadcasting station, observed the confrontation, which questioned the professionalism of the appointed officials and their integrity.
“The incident raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of those in positions of authority and drew attention to the expectations of accountability and ethical behaviour associated with public office.
“The implications of this occurrence could ripple through the community, prompting discussions on trust and responsibility among government officials.”
The reportage of the incident on some social media platforms was said to have angered the media house Chairperson.
In reaction to the unfortunate incident, Mrs Olaitan sent a message to the Oyo state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
The message reads, ” Hon .Commissioner, good morning Sir. I found this piece online today, authored by one of your workers – Gbenga Adesuyi”.
In a swift reaction, Adesuyi issued a reply which goes thus, ” WHY WOULD BCOS CHAIRMAN BE SHARING FAKE NEWS, WRONG ACCUSATION AND MISINFORMATION IN MY NAME?
He stated further, “let me say here that it’s absolutely wrong for BCOS Chairman to have forwarded this writeup to the State Commissioner for Information and the State NUJ Chairman and falsely adding my name to it that I wrote it. This is highly unprofessional and for her to have wrongly accused me of writing this show how much someone of her calibre, holding a sensitive position as the Chairman of BCOS would be spreading false and fake news.
Even though the author of the said story had claimed responsibility over relevant social media platforms where the story had circulated, Gbenga Adesuyi made several attempts to clear his name from all wrong accusations.
But it appeared that all attempts fell on deaf ears as the BCOS Chairman, according to findings ordered that all news bulletin in the station showed that Gbenga Adesuyi wrote the story, a situation which he said further damaged his reputation by the BCOS had forced him to consider stepping aside from his position considering the sensitivity of the matter.
The statement reads, ” In light of the recent development on another episode of my character assassination by the Executive Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, (BCOS), Mrs Dotun Olaitan and the management of BCOS, I have decided to step aside from my position as the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, until I clear my name of all forms of wrong allegations laid against me by BCOS.
“I must say that all legal avenues are being employed to vindicate myself from the wrongful incident.
“It’s really been a great honour working with one of the most brilliant and well respected living legends in Journalism and the broadcasting world, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
“Thank you very much Sir. I’ll always hold you in high esteem”. The statement concluded.