By joshua Okpebholo Hails Journalists For Sacrifices, Contributions To Nigeria’s Democracy
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended journalists for their sacrifices and contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, national unity and peace, describing them as critical partners in nation-building.
Okpebholo stated that, journalists had played significant roles in defending democracy and keeping Nigerians informed, often working under difficult and dangerous conditions to ensure the public received information about events across the country.
The governor gave the commendation on Tuesday when he received members of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), at Government House, Benin city.
The members of NUJ Edo State Council paid a thank you visit to the governor for the appointment of their colleague ,Festus Alenkhe as the General Manager of Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS, Benin City.
OKpebholo Commended the council members for their steadfastness, saying, “You people have contributed to Nigeria’s democracy. You fought for what we are enjoying today. You fought for the peace of Nigeria. You fought for the unity of this country, and you remain in our hearts,” he said.
The governor added that journalists deserved recognition for their commitment to information dissemination, noting that their work remained essential to the functioning of democracy.
“I will continue to take you as one of us because of what you are doing day and night. Even during the war, you go in there just to get information so that people will know what is happening. That is very serious, and you are highly commended,” he said.
He described the visit as the beginning of a lasting partnership between his administration and the union, expressing optimism that the relationship would bring a turning point for Edo State and usher in a new era for the NUJ.
“Today, we have started our relationship. We have started a partnership. This meeting will last long, and it will bring about a turning point for Edo. It is a new dawn for NUJ,” Okpebholo stated.
The governor also commended the transformation taking place at the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), promising to reposition the state-owned station to compete with leading television networks in the country.
According to him, Anywhere I am in the world, EBS should be watched. EBS is transforming. By the time I leave Edo State as governor, EBS will be like TVC or Channels, because that is our primary station. We have a design for how we want EBS to look like,” he added.
Okpebholo further attributed his administration’s ability to sustain salary payments, execute infrastructure projects and intensify the fight against insecurity to improved revenue allocations to states following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The governor stated further that, Edo State currently receives about ₦7.8 billion, adding that the resources had enabled his administration to pursue its development agenda.
Earlier, Chairman of the Edo State NUJ Council, Festus Alenkhe, JP, thanked the governor for appointing him as Managing Director of EBS, assuring him that he would not disappoint the administration or members of the union.
Other council leaders, including the vice-chairman, Ede Agho, also expressed appreciation to Okpebholo for recognising journalists through the appointment of Alenkhe as EBS managing director and Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
They reaffirmed the union’s commitment to promoting professional journalism and supporting effective communication between government and the public.
The meeting had in attendance the Deputy Governor, RT Hon Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Yakubu Musa JP; the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua among others.