By Austin Ogwuda
Journalists in Delta State, Nigeria, who were hitherto at daggers drawn with the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his media managers have pardoned them and subsequently lifted the embargo on media coverage on the ex governor.
Rising from the monthly Congress of Indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel (ICC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, held at the Chapel’s Secretariat last Friday, the Chapel noted that the lifting of the ban followed a successful meeting held between the former Commissioner for Information, now Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu with members of Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel and the leadership of ICC.
The Chapel Congress presided over by its Chairman, Orusi Kenneth, resolved that the former governor, Senator Okowa, Mr. Aniagwu, Mr. Olise Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Dr. Okowa and all the media aides who served under him, be given adequate publicity going forward.
The resolution reads,
“Since the former Commissioner for Information, now Commissioner for Rural and Riverrine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu had apologized over what transpired in the past, Congress in section, resolved that the ban on the former governor be immediately lifted.
“Congress, also resolved that the ban on his media managers, including Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Mr. Olise Ifeajika, former CPS and all other image makers be lifted completely.
“Congress resolved that adequate publicity be given to the former governor via any of his aides while the Commissioner for Rural and Riverrine Roads be adequately covered by members of the Chapel anytime stories/articles laundering him/his current ministry in good light are released.
The face-off was as a result of ill treatment meted to them during the dying days of Okowa’s administration to the extent that they were denied ‘parting’ gift splashed on other colleagues in the State.
