Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been honoured by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with the Media-Friendly Governor of the Year Award for his administration’s commitment to press freedom and its cordial working relationship with media practitioners.
The award was presented on Saturday at the fourth edition of the NUJ Annual Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
The event, which attracted prominent media personalities and other stakeholders, was organised under the theme, “Strengthening Democracy Through Responsible Journalism and Good Governance.”
Oborevwori, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, also delivered the keynote address, where he underscored the indispensable role of responsible journalism in deepening democracy, strengthening institutions and promoting accountable governance.
The governor maintained that a free, credible and responsible media remained a fundamental pillar of democracy, stressing that citizens could only make informed choices and effectively hold public officeholders accountable when provided with accurate and reliable information.
He described the relationship between democracy and journalism as mutually beneficial, explaining that while democratic governance guarantees freedom of the press, responsible journalism reinforces democratic institutions and bridges the communication gap between government and the people.
According to him, the sacrifices and contributions of veteran journalists in the nation’s democratic development make it imperative for society to protect press freedom and preserve the professional ethics that underpin credible journalism.
He, however, cautioned that press freedom must be exercised with a strong sense of responsibility, urging journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, objectivity and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The governor expressed concern over the increasing spread of misinformation, hate speech and unverified reports, particularly in the digital media space, where the race for breaking news and online attention could compromise the principles of factual reporting.
“Public trust is the foundation of journalism. Once lost, it is difficult to regain,” he said, urging media practitioners to remain independent, courageous and steadfast in defending the public interest.
Earlier, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, explained that the annual recognition programme was designed to celebrate individuals whose contributions had made significant and enduring impacts on journalism, humanity and national development.
Yahya specifically commended the Oborevwori administration for fostering a friendly atmosphere for journalists in Delta State, noting that the union’s observations had not revealed reported cases of intimidation, harassment or arrest of journalists in the state while carrying out their legitimate professional responsibilities.
He also applauded the governor’s administration for its investments in road infrastructure, efforts to address inherited debts and outstanding contractual obligations, as well as social intervention programmes designed to support widows, indigent households and other vulnerable members of society.
The NUJ president noted that Oborevwori’s acceptance of the invitation was a demonstration of his recognition of the media as an indispensable partner in governance and national development.
Chairman of the occasion and former NUJ National President, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, also praised the current leadership of the union for sustaining the annual recognition initiative.
He described institutional continuity as a critical ingredient in building enduring organisations, noting that initiatives that celebrate excellence and outstanding contributions should be encouraged and sustained.
