…Urges CMPG Members To Echo Govt Achievements, Tackle Negative Propaganda.
Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has again commended the laudable good governance strides of the state Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, in socioeconomic and infrastructure development.
The Speaker through his representative, Hon Charles Emutulu, representing Ndokwa West State Constituency, made the commendation while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the inauguration of Coalition for Media Politics And Governance, CMPG Executive Committee in Asaba on Thursday 2nd December, saying that Okowa’s visionary leadership did not only impact on the state economy but also positively redefined transparency and accountability in governance.
Oborevwori disclosed that the healthy but independent work relationship between the legislature and the executive will be sustained to ensure that the Stronger Delta agenda is delivered unhindered; smoothly and progressively for the attainment of the governor’s good intention of spreading development and dividends of democracy to all parts of the state.
He said the implemented annual budgets of the state since 2015, when compared to the good governance offered by Okowa administration further encouraged the legislative arm of government to effectively partner with the executive, so as to sustain socioeconomic and infrastructure development in the state.
Speaker Oborevwori, urged CMPG leadership and members to work closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of government so as to obtain facts and figures needed to project the achievements of governor Okowa, and ongoing implementation of the Stronger Delta Agenda.
In the same vein, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Patrick Ukah, said Okowa administration came on board with a clear vision anchored on Okowa Political Philosophy of selfless service, uncommon projects delivery, transparency and prudent management of resources, amongst others, adding that the numerous roads and other infrastructure projects executed by this administration attests to the genuine efforts of the governor to leave behind enduring legacies when his tenure terminates in 2023.
He urged CMPG members to remain focused and dedicated to their main objective of projecting the achievements of the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, from 2015 and still counting.
Spiritual father of the Day and Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Chris Ekabo, while inaugurating CMPG Exco, described Governor Okowa, as a God sent at the appropriate time to provide the much needed good governance which the good people of Delta State, have been yearning for.
He assured that no amount of black mail, lies or negative propaganda by any individual or group of persons will be able to withstand or wish away the laudable good governance strides of governor Okowa, noting that the recently commissioned Obi Prof Chike Edozien State Secretariat Complex, as well as Stephen Keshi International Stadium, rehabilitation, upgrade and concession of Asaba International Airport, are some of the mega projects that explained and confirmed the visionary leadership of Okowa in Delta State.
Ekabo urged CMPG, to be fully dedicated to its goals of flooding the media with the numerous achievements of governor Okowa, and never allow propagandists to talk down on this administration or on the governor, while commending the Chairman and Convener of CMPG, Dr Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, for his tenacity and commitment to his assigned responsibilities as the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Communications, and more particularly, for convening the group.
Delta Head of Service, Reginald Bayoko, mni, while speaking, renamed the group – Coalition for Media Politics on Governance, CMPG, saying that media politics should essentially focus on good governance, so that the citizens which are the major beneficiaries can consistently reap the benefits as well as enjoy dividends of Democratic politics.
He described Governor Okowa as an upright leader, astute politician and a super technocrat committed to the development of the state, adding that in all his over thirty years in government as a civil servant, he can truly say that the Okowa administration beats all imaginations, in view of the level of accelerated development and responsible leadership.
Bayoko, commended Okowa’s Eac Oghenesivbe, for his dedication to duty, and for providing the needed leadership for CMPG, while urging members of the group to effectively publicise the governors projects, programmes and achievements at all times.
Also speaking, the Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Dr Isaac Anwuzia, said Okowa administration cannot unnecessarily be blackmailed by the opposition or overzealous detractors hustling for political power.
He posited that the governor’s good governance strides and achievements are there for all to see, majority of them are tangible and located across the three senatorial districts.
He noted that the main opposition political party in the State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is not on ground, which was why some of her leaders resulted to media propaganda, telling lies and at the same time making wild statements that is far from the truth.
Anwuzia further asserted that Okowa by nature, is not moved by negative propaganda, but will always welcome constructive criticisms needed to enhance his performance as a visionary leader and governor par excellence.
He charged CMPG members to uphold high ethical standards and also publish the truth via the media while projecting the numerous and laudable achievements of the governor and this administration.
Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr Kingsley Emu, spoke extensively about the numerous projects executed by governor Okowa, saying that the scorecard of this administration will better be appreciated if CMPG and other government information dissemination organs/agents focuses on the economic benefits of these projects in their articles, interviews and reports.
He disclosed that majority of the achievements of Okowa administration are contained in the updated “Okowa’s Scorecard” subtitled “Six Years of Outstanding Statesmanship,” and immediately made 50 copies of the scorecard and Chronicles of Delta State at 30 available to members of CMPG.
The office of the Honourable Commissioner for Information also made available 40 copies of December edition of Veracity Magazines with a firm promise to consistently supply necessary information and data that would assist CMPG members in their media activities.
Emu, said projects executed so far by Okowa administration are essentially people oriented and deliberate to address infrastructure deficits, adding that the new state Secretariat will save billions of Naira, on leases and rents previously paid for government offices. The gains shall be deployed to execute socioeconomic and infrastructure projects in the state.
According to him, the “one stop Secretariat complex” saves time for those doing business with government, as well as enhanced productivity because of proximity and conducive work environment with state of the art facilities and equipment.
“I can tell you for free that Delta State, has made tremendous progress in the past six years as explained in Okowa’s Scorecard which chronicles this administration’s achievement and still counting.
“I will immediately make 50 copies available for use by CMPG members. There is so much to talk about in terms of ongoing, completed and commissioned projects.Time will not permit me to list them, which is why the Chairman of CMPG will have to accompany me to my office immedistely after this event to collect copies of the Scorecard.
“I commend the EAC to the governor, Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, for convening this group and for his doggedness and tenacity since 2017 and still counting.
“I urge members of the group to remain committed to your vision which is to
project the laudable achievements of the governor and this administration,” Emu added.
In his welcome address, Chairman of CMPG, Oghenesivbe disclosed that the Office of the Executive Assistant (Communications) to the Governor, had to convene the group to further compliment the huge efforts of the state media team, with emphasis on projecting the achievements of the governor; to effectively tackle and wade off all kinds of negative media propaganda, hate speech and character assassination.
He said the group shall from time to time publish facts relating to achievements of Okowa administration and to counter lies, hate speech and negative propaganda, saying that detractors and political actors will not be allowed to tarnish the enviable reputation of the state governor and his administration.
“Our governor is a visionary leader and Deltans are daily testifying to his good governance and dividends of democracy provided by this administration.
“CMPG will not allow negative propagandist to rubbish his good works. We shall deploy truth against lies, facts against negative propaganda.
“CMPG do not at the moment support any 2023 governorship aspirant in Delta State, not anywhere in Nigeria. Governor Okowa is our Grand Patron and we shall queue behind him to support any aspirant or candidate of his choice.
“Anywhere Okowa go, we go with him,” Oghenesivbe assured.
Present at CMPG Exco inauguration include; the Governor of Delta State represented by his Political Adviser, Chief Dr Isaac Anwuzia, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly represented by Hon Charles Emetulu, Deputy Speaker, Hon Christopher Ochor ably represented, Spiritual Father of the Day and Catholic Priest, Very Rev Fr Dr Chris Ekabo, JP., Secretary to Delta State Government, SSG, Chief Patrick Ukah ably represented, Head of Service, Hon Ferdinand Bayoko, JP, mni, Chief of Staff, Rt Hon Festus Ovie Agas ably represented, Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr Kingsley Emu and Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Omimi Esquare.
Others are: Communication Manager, Government House, Hon Jackson Ekwugum, Chairman, Delta NUJ, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, Executive Assistans (Research) to the Governor, Hon Frank Igwebueze, Hon Innocent Ojefia, General Manager, Pointer Newspaper, Mr Monday, General Manager, DBS Asaba, Mr Frankwhyte Osabohien, General Manager, DBS Warri, Pastor Malcolm Oteri, General Manager, NTA Asaba ably represented, to mention but a few.