Pamela Eboh, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has reminded media professionals in the state of the need to embrace development journalism which entails constructive reportage of the projects and initiatives of the government to enhance the welfare and interests of the populace.

The reminder came yesterday in Awka at a one-day special training programme organised for correspondents of national/regional and locally-based print and electronic media organisations operating in Anambra.

Obiano said: “Gentlemen of the press, let me assure you that I will work with you. My administration will work with you. As the Light of the Nation under God, Ndi Anambra are fully aware of the enormous power of the media which has become even more enormous with the advent of the Internet and the explosion of the social media.”

Obiano, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima, pointed out that the crucial role of the mass media in national development could be located in the nexus between the vision of leadership and its understanding and acceptance by the people.

He stressed that a leader can only inspire change in his people if his vision and dreams are fully understood and accepted by his people. The governor added that the role of the mass media is to provide critical link as well as the dual carriageway between the enunciated vision of leadership and its acceptance and eventual animation by the people.

While appreciating the aptness of the theme of the training, ‘Onitsha: The Imperatives of Developmental Journalism’, Governor Obiano thanked media professionals for all the support they had given him right from his campaign days through his inauguration to his first 100 days in office.

He said: “You have been a huge pillar of strength to my administration, providing timely insights and incisive analysis that have made it easier for Ndi Anambra to understand the strategic focus of my administration and my personal resolve to make Anambra State a better place for all of us.

“Indeed I must thank you for this. I can only hope that you will continue to stand by me as we intensify efforts that will catalyse development in Anambra State.

“The vision of my administration in Anambra State is for Anambra State to become the first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialisation and commercial activities. Our mission is to create a socially stable, business-friendly environment that will attract both indigenes & foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in Anambra State.”

Obiano further described as instructive, the topic of the training, noting: “The ancient city of Onitsha carries a lot of significance in the history of the Nigerian press as the hometown of the Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Great Zik of Africa and Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, who fought the colonial masters with his enormous journalistic powers will always be important to Nigerian journalism.”

The governor noted that since Onitsha is important to Nigerian journalism, the rest of Anambra State will be important to the Nigerian press, too.

He recalled that apart from the Great Zik of Africa, Anambra has also produced “the feisty MCK Ajuluchukwu, the philosophical Mokwugo Okoye, the intellectual Okey Ikechukwu, the engaging Okey Ndibe, Okey Ifionu, Maxim Uzoatu and other distinguished journalists, far too many to mention.”

The governor disclosed that the programme was earlier mapped out as part of activities to mark his first 100 days in office but was shifted due to various other activities that took place during that commemorative week.

Obiano, who assumed office on March 17, said he has a clearly defined vision and mission for the people of the state.

“I wish to remind you that Anambra State belongs to all of us,” he said. “It does not matter whether you are an indigene or a resident. We have a collective responsibility to secure and promote this state. But if we choose to set our collective roof on fire with our pens, we should all be prepared for the discomfort of homelessness.”