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Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah today emerged the proud recipient of the SMART Ambassador of the year 2017 award for displaying outstanding service commitment and sterling administrative leadership qualities while discharging the responsibilities of his office as the spokesman of the state.
Conferring the hours award of the Commissioner, Comrade Barth Ozah, Chairman of the Indigenous correspondents’ chapel (ICC)of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta state Council said although the primary duty of journalists of the Chapel remains the publication of objective and accurate information that will enable Deltans make informed decisions, he noted however that “We also take on the extra responsibility of appraising the leadership ingenuity of public officers with the aim of pointing out lapses and recognizing excellence.”
Comrade Ozah applauded Mr. Ukah for his support for journalists in the state, and placing on record the tremendous good will and attention extended to the Chapel.
The ICC Chairman said: “As part of this responsibility and in endorsement of your outstanding service commitment and sterling administrative leadership as the spokesman of the state, especially at this very trying period in the socio-political history of Delta State, the Chapel is glad and proud to consider you worthy as the recipient of its inaugural official award of recognition as a SMART Ambassador of the year, 2017.
“This rare honour is in recognition of your untiring efforts in propagating the very articulate and extraordinary brilliant SMART agenda of the administration of His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, executive Governor of Delta state, in the visionary effort to ensure prosperity for all Deltans.”
A visibly surprised Mr. Ukah recalled the sayings of Governor Okowa that he is never taken in by awards but would prefer that his works speak for him, and that the Governor had always pleaded that despite the gloomy situation of things that there would be light at the end of the tunnel. He said that before long there would indeed be light at the end of the tunnel, explaining that people failed to understand the prudence attitude of the governor to governance. “Eghoariaism means prudence in governance,” Mr. Ukah said.
On the award, he said: “ I won’t particularly have accepted it, But I think after two years I believe that we have what to show for it. That a group like you has recognized me as the first recipient of this award is significant.
“Your group is fearlessly very critical, and for these people to part of those giving me this award, I am proud to be a recipient. Also, for recognizing my team in the Ministry, it means that you are observing something. After two years, it is right to be acknowledged for some of the achievements recorded by this administration.
Ukah commended the ICC for being a wonderful crop of journalists representing the arm of journalism that deals with the grassroots who are the people directly serviced by the state government by delivering local content information to the grassroots.
He then pleaded for the continuous of the journalists , adding that they should like the Okowa government for the work it is doing and like him also for the work also being done.
In his remark, the functioning Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr. Paul, Osahor, commended the Chapel for the award given to the Commissioner, saying that it was a good gesture and a call to duty while urging ICC to always strive to give accurate and balance report about government.