Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has expressed dismay over poor welfare for journalists, particularly those in Warri.
“I feel very bad that there is no government presence here. We are not impressed”.
Uduaghan stated this on Wednesday March 23rd 2022, at the 2022 Annual NUJ Press Week Lecture/Award Ceremony with the theme: “2023 General Elections and Security Challenges”, held in Warri.
He frowned at the way and manner the media is treated under the present administration, saying that the media cannot be taken for granted.
“Go and tell them that I am not happy with what I am seeing in this area. If they ask you who said it? Tell them that it is Uduaghan, who said it”.
‘I want to appeal to the State government to pay attention to the media outside Asaba. The money you will spend in correcting an error in the media, is more than what you would have spent if you pay attention to them.
“Pay attention to the media across the State not just those in Asaba or Warri but those in Ughelli, Sapele and other places. The money you would have paid to say it is a lie, is much more what you will pay is you say the truth. The media is very active for election.
“I want to thank the Journalist in this area that they have not gone on rampage, if they had gone on rampage, just as he called on media practitioners to make their presence felt at scenes of events, instead of relying on a colleague who might have vested interest in the case.
“I want to appeal that we should make our presence felt where the things are happening”, he called on the leadership of the Union to hold her members to uphold the ethics of the profession.
He called on the government of the day to give more opportunities and power to traditional rulers as they play important roles in the society, especially in dispute resolutions.
Hear him: “I feel very sad in my spirit that we have not given our traditional rulers the special role to play in our society.
“They should be given more roles than what they are playing now. Most cases that would have gone to the police, the traditional rulers, they settle those cases. They should be given the power and opportunity to play more roles in our society”, he advocated.
