Banner Online News

By Giovanni Emephia

Delta state commissioner for information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, has described the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, as a strategic partner with the state government in the dissemination of government’s development initiatives to the grassroots and the outside world.

Dr. Osuoza, who was a special guest at the monthly congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, which was held at the NUJ Press Centre, Maryam Babangida Road, Asaba, appealed to journalists in the state to seek clarification from his office on government’s policy issues and strive to be professional and balanced in their reportage.

The information commissioner stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was passionate about developing Delta State and requires the cooperation and support of the fourth estate of the realm.

He stressed that there were a lot of positive things to write about Delta state, especially the developmental strides of the oborevwori administration in security, infrastructure as well as in human capital development.

On the issue of regular media briefings by the Governor and Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state government, the commissioner stated that Governor Oborevwori would interact with the media “at an appropriate time.”

He stated that there would be regular media briefings by commissioners and heads of government agencies after the one-year anniversary of the present administration.

Meanwhile, the commissioner advised journalists to seek clarification on issues relating to specific ministries from the commissioners in charge of those ministries, or the Public Relations Officers attached to such MDAs, as the state government was running an open, transparent and people friendly government.

Speaking earlier, chairman of the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, stated that journalists were happy with the commissioner for his friendly disposition, stressing that the union would be a veritable tool to propagate and market the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori administration.

Also speaking, Comrade Fred Odu, a veteran journalist, lamented the unfriendly disposition of most commissioners, who he said were unwilling to respond to media inquiries on issues concerning their areas of responsibility.