By Kelvin Ohoror
Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has called on journalists in the State to always verify facts before going to press.
Governor Oborevwori made this known on Monday, at the Press Week organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Delta State Council, in Asaba, with theme: “Imperative Of Proper Leadership Recruitment Process For Good Governance”.
The Governor stated that his administration was comprehensively addressing development challenges of the state through its MORE Agenda
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori said journalists should consistently sustain the effort to find out the truth before going to press saying, it had become essential as more people could be inclined to listen to or read negative reports without bothering about their correct versions.
He commended journalists in the state for the cordial relationship they had accorded his administration and for organising the Press Week which would further afford them the opportunity to arm themselves with the necessary knowledge in discharging their duties.
“This way, you arm yourselves with greater knowledge to impact on your performances for the good of your profession and the society in general.
“I, therefore, commend the Nigerian Union of Journalists here in the state, for organising the Press Week and, more importantly, for bringing in notable persons to point the way forward.
“As an administration, we will like to commend journalists in the state for the cordial relationship between us. We have related in a very peaceful way and it is my sincere hope that, going forward, the relationship will be marked by greater understanding and mutual respect.
“It is in the interest of journalists to tow the lines of preserving the country as the stability of both the state and nation will always be at the centre of your practice”
Governor Oborevwori also commended the performance of the Federal Government. “We urge everyone supporting us to extend similar understanding to the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We should, at all times, guard against anything capable of destabilising our dear country or State. As journalists, you should always have patriotic consciousness to write stories and articles that bind us together. Whether in mainstream or the social media sphere, bear in mind that we have no other country we can call our own. We should therefore tailor our activities towards building a stronger nation, more United people and a stable polity”.
In their goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Press Week, an erudite scholar, Christopher Biose, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, and the member representing Oshimili South Local Government at the State House of Assembly, Barr Bridget Anyafulu, described journalists as nation builders whose works were critical for sustainable peaceful development.
Earlier, the state Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, said the theme of the 2024 Press Week underscored the critical need for transparent and credible electoral processes, believing that such process would ensure that those who occupied political positions were truly representatives of the people.
Oyowe emphasised that when leaders were genuinely elected by the people, they were bound to serve the people with integrity and dedication, saying journalists must play the role to inform, educate and hold accountable, those in positions of power and authority
