Ukah reaffirms state government’s commitment to press freedom, media synergy

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to press freedom and media synergy in communicating government policies and achievements.

He gave the charge on Sunday at the thanksgiving service of the state chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Michael Ikeogwu, on his victory at the union’s election.

He challenged journalists to use their profession to promote unity rather than cause disaffection in the society and urged them to keep supporting the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. He reassured them that the state government was committed to leaving a more developed state than he met it at the end of his tenure.

Ukah, who spoke at the Liberation Model Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Warri, congratulated the new Executive Council of the NUJ on their election and their successful inauguration.

He added that the chairman’s decision to appreciate God for the victory was the right decision that would please God in the union’s administration.The commissioner also solicited the support of all media practitioners in the state in promoting the gains of the Okowa administration’s SMART Agenda 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 and assured that the challenges facing the Warri chapel would be resolved as soon as the state economy improves.

In his sermon tagged: “More than a Conqueror,” the guest minister, Michael Tobi, said anyone that put God first in all his endeavours would surmount obstacles and advised the celebrant and the congregation to always surrender to Christ to achieve their set goals.

He further admonished that it was better to be more than conqueror, maintaining that when anyone is more than a conqueror, he needs not fight, for God always fights his battles.

Relating the message to the event, he affirmed that in Ikeogwu’s case, it was God who took over the battle and gave him victory and commended him for doing the right thing by returning thanks to God.

Chairman, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Akpokona Omafuaire, said that the visit, which was the first by any Commissioner for Information in the state, would strengthen the bond between it and the state government.

He appealed to the state government to assist in building its secretariat, provide vehicle and other things that would help promote their efficiency and objectivity.
Two former chairmen of the NUJ, Osita Biose and Norbert Chiazor, National President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Oweilaemi Pereotubo Roland, the DPO B Division, Warri, CSP Anietie Eyoh, among others, graced the occasion.