By Austin Ogwuda
…. Journalists barred, while Delta NUJ leadership keeps silent
A sad occurrence took place yesterday (Wednesday) at the premises of the Delta State House of Assembly as over 20 Journalists drawn from the mainstream and Online media who were there to cover the governor’s address marking his second year in office were disdainfully denied entry.
They stood outside the gate of the Assembly while the governor was presenting the address, after which he led it on the table as if he was presenting the yearly Appropriation Bill.
The media houses barred were – ThisDay, Punch, Guardian, Telegraph, Quest TV, Odenigbo Radio, Business News, Emerald News, Tribune and Express News.
Others were Ndokwa Vanguard, Spade News, Gallant Reporters, Douba Post, Daily Independent, Leadership, Blue Print, The Story, National Pilot, The Hill and National Light.
Unfortunately while the drama lasted one audacious David Saviour, an ASP stood akimbo at the Assembly gate boasting and taunting the Journalists saying “If you like call anybody, nobody will answer you”.
Oborevwori reels out his achievements
Reeling out the State of the State address to members of the Delta State House of Assembly Governor Oborevwori said that his administration has been deliberate, intentional, and proactive in providing a safety net for vulnerable groups through well-targeted social protection initiatives, particularly in light of the current economic challenges.
According to him, the 266,737 beneficiaries were empowered through several programmes, including the Delta CARES (D-CARES) Programme, Women Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme (WESAP), Working Fingers Initiative, MORE Grants Scheme, MORE Biz-Up Programme, and the Widows Welfare Scheme.
Under the D-CARES Programme, the Governor said 247,000 Deltans have been empowered, noting that the release of N1 Billion as counterpart funding for the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), has supported 2,000 farmers engaged in food production, livestock and aquaculture.
The Governor further revealed that 220 women were recently trained in fashion design, hairdressing, catering, decoration and event management, as well as makeup and gele tying under the WESAP initiative.
He added that the programme was extended to 91 people living with disabilities, who were trained in ICT, confectionery, fashion design, and leatherwork.
“We also distributed fertilizers to farmers across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state to support our efforts in ensuring food security,” the Governor said.
He went on to explain that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development had trained and supported 2,000 women across the state in practical skills, mental health education, and entrepreneurship under the Working Fingers Initiative.
Through the MORE Grants Scheme, the state government has empowered micro and small-scale businesses, offering financial support to 5,426 petty traders and small business owners in response to ongoing economic hardships.
Governor Oborevwori, said: “Through the Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, we have supported 2,000 MSMEs with funding and business support packages under the MORE Biz-Up Programme.
“These programmes underscore our unwavering commitment to building a resilient and inclusive economy that uplifts the most vulnerable and promotes shared prosperity.
“This administration holds the welfare of widows in high regard, and we will continue doing everything within our power to improve their quality of life under the Widows Welfare Scheme.
“I have just approved the payment of a N15,000 monthly stipend for 10,000 widows across the state”, he stated.
Delta NUJ leadership keeps mute
Ironically, the Delta State NUJ leadership under Comrade Churchill Oyowe has remained silent by not showing empathy over the matter or leading the crusade to ascertain why such obnoxious unconstitutional order to lock out the newsmen from lawful performance of duty as the Fourth Estate of the Realm was given in the first place.
As a norm, the former Governor James Onanefe Ibori and his successors usually held periodic media chats particularly like yesterday’s occasion until the incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori stopped it, opting to use the Hallowed Chambers of the State Assembly to address Deltans instead.
