Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, today warned that the activities of blackmailers could lead to a very big security challenge in Delta State Government.
Uduaghan handed down the warning at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Delta State Council’s Press Week held at the Labour House in Asaba today.
He stated that Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa’s led government will not have a field day if it decides to fold its hands over the activities of blackmailers.
Uduaghan lamented that “Blackmailing” has become a big profession in the State.
The former governor stated that the number of whistle blowers as well as petitions to security agencies have increased as a result of the five percent they will have.
While noting that the petitions by whistle blowers have no basis, Uduaghan said,” Blackmailing has become a big profession in Delta State. That is what they use in building houses and buying cars.”
He appealed to journalists to help reduce the benefits blackmailers get by asking questions.
Uduaghan further decried the negative use of the social media saying,” the ugly side of the social media has overtaken every part which is not acceptable. It has the advantage of going fast, but very difficult to retrieve a wrong information passed,” pointing out that the social media has made leaders accountable to the people they lead also.
He also promised not to do anything that will attract or bring insecurity to the state.
Uduaghan absolved the Delta State Government of making any remarks of him leaving a debt of over seven hundred billion naira for the state.
Former Governor of Edo State, Sen.(Prof.), Oserhiemen Osunbor, also decried the wrong use of the social media, saying that he was a victim of the social media.
Osunbor stated that he was accused on the social media of privatizing the Edo State fruit juice for his personal gains.
While noting the misuse and abuse of the social media, Osunbor called on the government to recognize the use of the same in promoting “Good Governance” in ensuring accountability to its people.
Osunbor also stressed the importance of the social media saying,” It is for the government to be more accountable,” considering its benefits to modern journalism.
Osunbor stressed the need for censorship of the use of social media which has so many negative aspects.
National Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,Comrade Waheed Odusiyle who was represented by the Vice President Zone F. South-South, Mr. Edward Akpati-Ogude stated that the NUJ was working effortlessly to remove “quacks” from the profession just as he lamented the level of unprofessionalism by some practitioners.
Ogude charged the state council to register their members and send same to the national body.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah appealed to journalists to takeover the use of social media from unprofessional especially blackmailers.
In an address, the Delta State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, listed his achievements as chairman for the March 2, 2017 to include the training of forty journalists(Deltans and non-deltans) at Reuters News Agency in London in 2012-2013, the first of such training since the creation of Delta State in 1999.
“The union under my watch have also partnered with different organizations to hold series of local seminars and workshops for members within and beyond the state.”
” The crowning glory of our blessed tenure so far is the monumental achievement of the building of Delta NUJ Press Centre coming over 25 years after the creation of Delta State. The Secretariat located on Mariam Babangida Way, Asaba is a divine gift to practicing journalists in Delta, that would stand permanently as our selfless contributions to the growth and development of journalism in the state.”
While noting the various challenges in his administration, Chiazor also commended Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for providing the union with the land for the building of the secretariat as well as its foundation laying ceremony.
He also appreciated Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa for developing the secretariat to an “appreciable” and “magnificent level”.
” The State NUJ is indeed indebted to these two illustrious sons of Delta State.”
” We wish also to put on record the good efforts of the pioneer chairman of the Delta NUJ and former Secretary to the state government, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay towards the completion of the historic press centre.”
” The state NUJ has also restored dignity and social relevance to the union and her members through exemplary leadership as people that matter in the society now take us seriously.”
” Today, we are fulfilled serving the union with high sense of responsibility.”
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