Oborevwori: States Should Support FG for National Progress Despite Party Affiliation
•Says his govt’s devt blueprint impacting Delta State
Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has said for sustainable progress and national development, state governors should work in collaboration with the federal government, notwithstanding their political affiliations.
Oborevwori also asserted that his administration’s development blueprint, better known as the M.O.R.E Agenda, was visibly impacting the lives of the people of Delta State positively, less than two years since he took office.
The governor made the remarks in Asaba, at the commencement of the fifth Delta State Communication Workshop, themed, “Advancing Delta: Strategies for Public Communication and Effective Media Engagement.”
Represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Oborevworistated that it would be counter-productive for a governor interested in the peace, progress and development of Nigeria to be at loggerheads with the country’s president.
He described the relationship between him and President Bola Tinubu as cordial, stressing that Mr. President is supportive of his administration.
Oborevwori said, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the president of this country, is fully supporting our administration and it behoves us as government, media aides, partners and spokespersons to ensure that our strategic communication engagements must reflect and support the president, and reflect the policies, gains and advantages of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“It is only by doing this with sincere commitment that we can attract comprehensive benefits and goodwill from the federal government for our people.
“It is also important to emphasise here, too, that as government spokespersons, media appointees, social media influencers and media partners, it is the communication policy of this administration that the best and sure way to respond to negative propaganda is to consistently present and promote our projects, initiatives and the verifiable, impactful achievements of the M.O.R.E Agenda, in order to counter their propaganda and shut them up decisively.”
The governor charged government spokespersons, media appointees, social media influencers, and media partners to tackle propaganda and misinformation by show-casing the administration’s achievements to the people, stating that they are visible across the state.
He described as timely and appropriate the three-day capacity building programme, which was designed to enhance the skills and overall efficiency of media appointees and other participants.
The governor said, “Our projects, our accomplishments, and our M.O.R.E Agenda are steadily impacting positively on the lives of Deltans and bringing the dividends of democracy to our people across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“The need to enhance the skills and overall efficiency of media appointees to the governor in the propagation, promotion and dissemination of the achievements, activities, policies, programmes and initiatives of our M.O.R.E Agenda, in its clearly defined components of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security, cannot be over-emphasised.
“Your engagement and responsibilities as media personnel and partners with the Delta State government will, therefore, become even more expansive and comprehensive as we continue to deliver the pragmatic and life-impacting dividends of the M.O.R.E Agenda to Deltans.
“You must all be fully prepared for that in recognition and fulfilment of your critical importance, roles and responsibilities as government media personnel and partners, operating in the dynamic social media sphere.”
Oborevwori lauded the workshop coordinator and Director-General of Delta State Orientation and Communication Bureau, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, for sustaining the communication workshop.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said strategic communication was apt for any government, adding that the Oborevwori administration’s strides in infrastructure are highlighted in the construction of 513 road projects across the state, while over 250,000 Deltans had been empowered by the state government under the various aspects of the D-CARES programme.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, observed that Oghenesivbe had been consistent with promoting the state since the Okowa administration.
Aniagwu urged the workshop participants to remain attentive so as to benefit maximally from the training workshop.
Others who spoke were the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen; Director-General, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah; Communications Manager to the Governor, Mr Jackson Ekwugum; former commissioner, Dr Festus Okubo; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning, Dr Barry Gbe.
Chief Trainer at the workshop, Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos, said the workshop was a celebration of commitment to advancing media and communications in Delta State, adding that effective communication remains the bedrock of transformative governance.
In his welcome remarks, Oghenesivbe said the capacity training workshop began in 2019. He thanked Oborevwori for approving the 2024 workshop, and assured that modules had been designed purposely to equip the participants with the knowledge to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.
