By Okiemute Okpomor
Delta state government has reaffirmed its unalloyed commitment towards press freedom and media synergy with regards to propagating government policies and achievements.
This was disclosed by Mr. Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Information at the thanksgiving church service of Com. Michael Ikeogwu, Chairman, Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)on his victory at the Union’s election held at the Liberation Model Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Warri.
Mr. Ukah challenged journalists in the state to rise up to the occasion in using their reports to promote unity rather than disaffection in the society, he urged them to keep supporting the administration of the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, he reassured them that the governor is indeed committed to bequeathing a prosperous and adequately developed state at the end of his tenure .
The Commissiioner for Information congratulated the State Executive Council of the NUJ on their election and successful swearing in adding that the decision of the Chairman to appreciate God for the victory was a right one that will invite God fully into the administration of the Union.
While parleying with journalists during the reception held in his honour at the Secretariat of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Mr. Ukah solicited the support of every media practitioner in the state in promoting the gains of the SMART Agenda of the Okowa led administration in the last two years.
He said that the early completion of the ongoing new NUJ Press Centre in Asaba was dear to the state government, the Commissioner assured them that the challenges facing the Warri chapel will be looked into as soon as the economy of the state improves.
Earlier in a sermon tagged “More than a Conqueror,” Pastor Michael Tobi,Guest Preacher said that anyone that puts God first was capable of surmounting obstacles, he advised Com. Ikeogwu and the congregation to always surrender to Christ for them to achieve their set goals.
The man of God posited that it is better to be more than conqueror, maintaining that in this case you need not fight, for God always take the battle from you and fight the fight, revealing that all one needs to be more than conqueror is to be just, not given to complains and always obeying the voice of God.
Relating the message to the ceremony of the day, he affirmed that in the case of Com. Michael Ikeogwu, it was God who took over the battle and gave him victory, Pastor Tobi commended him saying that he has done the right thing by returning thanks to God for giving him victory.
In a remark, Com. Omafuaire Akpokona, Chairman, Warri Correspondent’s Chapel of the NUJ said that the visit of the Commissioner which was the first by any Commissioner for Information in the state to the Press Centre will strengthen the bond of unity between it and the state government.
Com. Akpokona appealed to the state government to assist in the building of its Secretariat, provide vehicle for movement and other things that will help promote efficiency and objectivity.
It was a well attended function with two past State Council Chairmen of the NUJ, Comrades Osita Biose and Norbert Chiazor, the DPO B Division Warri, CSP Anietie Eyoh, an array of practicing journalists in the state among others present.
