You’re Democratic Accountability Agents, Diri Tells Journalists

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described journalists as strong agents of democratic accountability and given assurance of his collaboration with the media as partners and critical allies in his administration’s determination to entrench transparency, accountability and openness in governance.
Governor Diri made this assertion on Monday, in Government House, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, when he played host to the state leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha.
The Governor, while congratulating the newly elected Executive of the NUJ, acknowledged that journalists are strong agents of democratic accountability in any society, promising that his Prosperity Administration will work hand in glove with them to strengthen good governance and deliver on components of his Prosperity promises.
He called on journalists to be objective in their reportage to foster development, peace and unity among the people, rather than negative reports with divisive tendencies.
The Bayelsa State Chief Executive further directed the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mrs Ebiwou Koku-Obiyai to liaise with the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Surveyor Moses Teibowei, in order to give the NUJ Secretariat a facelift and also ensure that the issue of flooding in the premises is addressed.
Governor Diri also assured of his support to the proposed Bayelsa Media Summit, the first by any State Council of the NUJ across the country.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, promised that the NUJ would continue to collaborate with the state government and all critical stakeholders within the media space to project positive frames of reports that would sell the Bayelsa brand and attract investors and tourists to the State.
Comrade Yemoleigha insisted that media professionals have a central role in the progress and development of any society, while explaining that the new NUJ leadership in Bayelsa State was repositioning the union to be a frontline participant in State affairs in line with its obligation to society.
Comrade Yemoleigha commended the Prosperity Administration for the ongoing three Senatorial roads projects which he said would not only open up communities to socioeconomic transformation, but that they are central to tapping the enormous benefits of the Blue Economy surrounding Bayelsa State.
He noted that the newly constructed and rehabilitated roads have imbued serenity and beauty in the State capital while urging the governor to continue to expand his urban renewal drive.
The NUJ chairman expressed optimism that the long awaited gas turbines would power the economy of Bayelsa State, adding that like every other Bayelsans, journalists were also anxiously looking forward to their arrival, installation and giving the state a new lease of life.