By Raphael Okhiria
Publishers of Private Community/Grassroots Newspapers and Magazines in the South South Geo-Political Zone, have paid an official visit to the Edo State Government House, where they were received on behalf of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.
The leader of the delegation, Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, who is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Newspapers to Delta State Governor and Publisher of Delta Guide Newspaper, conveyed the warmest regards of the publishers in the South South Geo-Political Region to the Governor for his overwhelming and unparalleled achievements in Edo State.
The South South Publishers, commended Governor Obaseki for taking Edo state to a new height, noting that they were amazed by the rate of infrastructural development, the upgrade of the civil servants from analogue to digital level as well as his people-oriented programmes and policies
The Publishers, while emphasising the need for sustenance of the solid developmental foundation and blueprint laid down by Governor Obaseki, underscored the need for continuity of those programmes and policies through a well groomed successor that shares identical vision, passion and dedication to serve.
The South South Publishers assured the Governor of their resolve to use their publications to adequately to sensitize the people of Edo State on the ongoing good works of the governor and invariably, the need to rally round him in bringing-in a successor that would continue with the good legacy when they go to the polls on September 21, this year.
They however appealed to the Edo State Governor to consider the creation of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Newspapers and Online Media, with the appointment of a renowned indigenous publisher into the office, to ensure better synergy between the government and the community newspapers’ publisher, being the closest medium of information, education and entertainment to the grassroots people.
The Publishers also expressed similar appeal to the Special Adviser on Media Projects to the Edo State Governor, to close ranks with the state-based publishers for the overall benefit of the state government.
While thanking the Edo State Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki for his passion for the BRACED Commission to which he hosted his fellow Governors and stakeholders to a crucial meeting earlier this year, the South South Publishers, urged him to intensify efforts with collaboration with his fellow South South State Governors to re-activate the BRACED Commission initiated many years ago but which has almost become comatose.
They emphasized that the BRACED Commission which means Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States, remains the only platform capable of spearheading the attainment of regional development goals, stressing that the need for the collaborative initiative of a regional development template that could see the active participation of all State Governors, Law Makers of States and National Assembly as well as Stakeholders from the South South Geo-Political Zone cannot be overemphasized.
The Publishers commended the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie for his warm reception, hospitality and painstaking efforts of taking the Publishers on an inspection tour of the remodel The Nigerian Observer Newspaper’s facilities, one of the Governor Obaseki’s legacy projects that showcases his passion for excellence and quality service delivery.
In his response, Mr. Crusoe Osagie thanked the publishers for their positive assessment of the achievements of his boss, Governor Obaseki, noting that he will convey the outcome of the meeting to the Governor, just as he assured the Publishers of closer partnership on the publicity of the state through their various media houses.
The special adviser stated that the people of Edo and other people living in the state have the supreme power over the politicians, and as such appealed to the people to support the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo/Osarodion Ogie because they have the pedigree to sustain and possibly improve on the leadership qualities of the incumbent governor.
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