By Ogbebor Tony Ikponmwosa
The Edo State Government has partnered with journalists in the State to adequately communicate the achievements of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration by embarking on a media tour of projects implemented by the government.
Speaking on behalf of the State Government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the Government felt the need to support the idea of a media tour as recommended by the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Festus Alenkhe, as it would give journalists in the State a bird’s eye view of projects carried out by Governor Obaseki so as to better equip them with reliable facts while engaging their audience.
He encouraged journalists in the State to be professional in carrying out their role as the watchdog of the society and thanked the Chairman of the Union for his role in the initiative.
The Chairman of Edo State Council of NUJ, Festus Alenkhe, said that facts are the major and necessary ingredients for objective reportage, hence the need for journalists to have firsthand knowledge of Government’s projects in the State so as to be properly informed about what the State Government is doing, explaining that this will enable journalists in the State to engage the public adequately.
He also added that the tour would help to point out areas where Government’s interventions are needed.
The first leg of the Media Tour was targeted at projects carried out in Edo South Senatorial District as journalists made their first stop at the reconstructed Benin Technical College; some completed and ongoing road projects were also visited at Ekosodin, Ugbokun–Iguebor, Ekiadolor road leading to Akure in Ovia North East Local Government Area and other roads in Edo South Senatorial District.
Speaking on the Government’s projects in Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, the Rector, Professor Abiodun Falodun, applauded the State Governor for finalizing the payment of the newly accredited Business Administration program in the institution and also stated that there are many ongoing infrastructural, academic and capacity building projects in the polytechnic.
Journalists also visited the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, where the Project Engineer, Kunle Bello, said that the ongoing project is 75 percent completed and should be ready by the end of the year.
At Abudu, the Youth Leader, Luke Asemota, thanked the Governor for the completion of the Ultra-Modern College of Agriculture Abudu, stating that some of the ongoing projects in the community are the Edo State High Court, a multi-purpose project; primary and secondary schools as well as the accommodation for judges and other judicial workers.
During the visit to the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp, it was observed that the State Government has completed the construction of hostels, camp clinics, modern dining hall with 800 chairs and 100 tables, amongst others.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of NUJ thanked participating journalists and Edo State Government for making this tour possible, while urging the State Government to continue with its developmental strides.
According to Mr. Alenkhe, the tour has equipped journalists with necessary contents that will be useful in providing factual information to the people.
