Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has charged journalists in the state against de-marketing Abia through uncomplimentary reportage, but rather engage in constructive criticism.
Ikpeazu, who gave the charge when he received a delegation of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Abia State Council led by its Chairman, Victor Ndukwe at Government House Umuahia, enjoined journalists in the state to help create a better society through their various media.
The governor, who highlighted the role of the media in emerging democracy, noted that the media have the ability in perception management and social re-engineering, adding that he relies on the media to propagate the achievements of the state government under his leadership and the potential of the state.
“Let us not join in de-marketing our state. De-marketing Abia has a way of bringing a curse on our state. It is our duty to market our state and engage in constructive criticism where necessary,” Ikpeazu said.
The governor, who used the forum to highlight the scorecard of his administration in road construction, 30-year Abia Long Term Development Plan, among others, said that the state government was collaborating with the United Nations (UN) to design a master plan for Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia, maintaining that his administration has improved on what it met on ground.
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He disclosed that the relative peace and security sustained by his administration in the state had attracted Direct Foreign Investment which in turn created employment opportunities for Abia Youths.
Governor Ikpeazu congratulated Victor Ndukwe for emerging as the State Council Chairman of the Union and assured that his administration would ensure the completion of the NUJ Permanent Secretariat before the end of his tenure.
He urged the leadership of the Union to make an assessment of the financial cost needed to enable him put the necessary machinery in motion to achieve the completion of the project.
Earlier in his address, the state NUJ Chairman, Victor Ndukwe while highlighting the challenges facing the Abia NUJ and media in the state, appealed to the governor for continued assistance to enable the Union complete its state council secretariat.
Ndukwe, who commended Governor Ikpeazu on his developmental efforts which are aimed at fast-tracking economic growth across the state, also used the visit to assure him of the Union’s support to realise his administration’s vision as enunciated in the five pillars of development.
He also thanked the governor for assisting the Abia Council in hosting the Union’s 7th Triennial Delegates Conference where an Abian, Chris Isiguzo was re-elected as the National President of the Union.
