OKOWA’S AIDE SEEKS JOURNALISTS COLLABORATION ON PEACE, SECURITY IN DELTA
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Journalists are critical stakeholders to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa administration’s efforts to actualize effective security and peace in the state.
This was disclosed by Com. Ezekiel Daniel, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Security when he visited the NUJ Temporary Secretariat, DDPA, Asaba, he said that journalists are germaine to his effort at helping Governor Okowa actualise effective security and peace in Delta noting that the role of the media cannot be overemphasized.
Com.Ezekiel who hails from Warri North Local Government Area and has been an activist for over 22 years stated that he decided to connect with the media, believing that no government or its functionaries can succeed in office without the indispensable collaboration of the media adding that he was at the Temporary Secretariat to seek journalists collaborative effort in line with the functions of his office as SSA to the Governor on Security.
He disclosed that so far in his three weeks old appointment, he had visited some flashpoints in the state, including Ovwian to hold meetings with them on the need to sustain the peace initiatives of the SMART Governor of Delta State.
He also said that he had visited Sapele Local Government Area to have on the spot assessment of the area now being largely infested by alleged Yahoo Plus criminals, maintaining that at the meetings with some youths in the area, he charged them on the need to be on the watch out for anything that impedes security and undermines peace in Sapele and Delta in general.
According to Com. Ezekiel, “since my appointment in the last three weeks, I have taken proactive steps to prove that youths are equal to effecting change in our State and country. Realising that peace is the template for the desired progress and development upon which security and vigilance cannot be overlooked; based on this, we are deploying every legitimate means – Advocacy, Collaborative efforts and others to bring about peace in our State.”
He added, “to achieve this agenda of the Governor towards a Stronger Delta, we need the media to effectively deliver on our mandate. Thank you for opening your doors to welcome us.”
Responding, Com. Michael Ikeogwu, chairman, NUJ, Delta State Council congratulated the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on his appointment, adding he had shown enough reason to succeed in the assignment the Governor appointed him to handle.
According to Com. Ikeogwu, “for you to realise the importance and role of the media in your assignment means that you know what to do already. You must try as much as possible to diligently deliver on your mandate. You must endeavour to harness the capacity and potentials of the youths as critical in your agenda for a secure, violent free and peaceful Delta.”
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