Delta NUJ Goes Tough On Okowa’s Media Aides Over Denial Of Benefits, Poor Treatment

By Onomiguren Agbamu

Nigeria Union of journalists, Delta chapter, has frowned at the immediate past chief press secretary to ex- Governor Okowa who was a former correspondent chairman of Asaba chapel for outrightly denying them of benefits ex- governor Okowa made and giving only attention to government house press crew.

This was contained in a Communiqué’ issued on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the end of the emergency Congress meeting of the Indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel (ICC), held at the Chapel Secretariat in Asaba, the State capital.

They noted in the communiqué that the media aides of the former governor failed woefully in the discharge of their duties.

According to the Communiqué’, “Congress in session frowns at the divide and rule attitude of his media managers, which seemingly made a select few chapels superior to others

“Congress-in-session notes with dismay, that over the years, the indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel, which is the strategic link between government and the grassroots, has consecutively and flagrantly been marginalized in the scheme of things, especially in the coverage of major government activities.

“Congress-in-session condemns strongly, in one voice, our denial of benefits assured us by immediate past Governor, Senator Dr. lfeanyi Okowa, CON, due to the deliberate inaction of the former Governor’s media managers.

“Going forward, Congress in session, appealed for equal treatment from the present administration’s media managers, judging from our very strategic role as community-based media in Delta. Even our brand-new Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, is described as a man of EXCESSIVE LOCAL CONTENT, just like indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel!

“Congress-in-session commends His Excellency Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for appointing one of our finest veterans, Sir Festus Ahon, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS). We pledge to cooperate with him in dissemination of information on government’s policies and programmes.

“Congress-in-session passionately appeals to His Excellency the Governor, to kindly consider appointing a member of indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel as part of his media team, to oversee the affairs of community-based media in Delta State”, the Communiqué’ stressed.