Oshiomhole’s aide, Okhiria, Works Minister, Senator bag NUJ Awards
Edo State Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has given an Award of Excellence to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, Mr Peter Okhiria, for his “Effective Public Relations and Information Management”.
The Union also gave awards to the Senator Representing Edo North Senatorial district, Senator Domingo Obende, the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolemenmen as part of activities to mark the 2013 week of the Edo Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Speaking at the well-attended ceremony, held at the NUJ Press Centre, weekend, Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu urged journalists to adhere strictly to the rules and ethics of journalism in order to help strengthen the nation’s democracy.
He noted the contributions of the media to the enthronement of the nation’s democracy, appealing to them to be wary of reports that could endanger the same democracy they helped widwife.
According to him, “majority of our journalists both in Edo state and Nigeria as a whole have been doing their best by reporting correctly. The Nigerian journalist fought for democracy and must continue to protect it. And that is why I always insist on fair reportage, reporting the truth so that we will not destroy our democracy”.
While commending the Edo state NUJ leadership led by its chairman, Desmond Agbama, for its laudable programmes in the state, he commended the qualities of persons who received awards at the NUJ week and assured that the state government and the NUJ would continue to collaborate for the benefit of the people of the state.
Expressing his gratitude to the NUJ for the award, Okhiria who was represented on the occasion by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Prince Kassim Afegbua assured that the state government would continue to collaborate with journalists in the state to ensure that the ongoing developmental strides of the Comrade Governor are sustained.
Other awardees include three former chairmen of NUJ in Edo state; Mr Nasamu Jacobson, now Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor; Mr. Godwin Erhahon, now Interim Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Edo state and Mr Ralph Okhiria, Publisher of a Community Newspaper in the State.
The others are the former Secretary to the state Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhen, Chairman Oredo Local Government Council, Hon Osaro Obaze, Chairman Etsako Central Local Government Hon Emmanuel Momoh; Chairman Etsako East Local Government, Hon Malik Afegbua and Chairman Owan East Local Government , Hon Jimoh Ijegbai.
National President of the NUJ, Garba Muhammed was presented at the awards by the South South zonal secretary of the union, Mr Eddy Ogwude The occasion of was chaired by the chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Mr Victor Enobakhare.
