The people of Enugu State have been reassured that the democratic dividends promised by the state governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, will not elude them despite the present economic challenges the country is facing.
This assurance was given by the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, Hon Malachy Agbo while playing host to some members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, based in Igbo Etiti who paid a courtesy visit to felicitate with him on his recent appointment.
He stated that Enugu State is in safe hands with the God-fearing governor at the helm of affairs in the state who is making frantic efforts to ensure that the people benefit from a caring government despite the economic downturn.
Agbo, himself a journalist, thanked the visiting journalists, Mr. Chijioke Attah of Nsukka News, Mr. Chinazom Amadi of Dega Voice, Mr. Ike Okenyi of Nation Guard and Mr. Chris O. Chris of The Sun, for making out time to visit him.
He said “This is the first time in the history of Igbo Etiti that a practicing journalist is at the helm of affairs of the council. As journalists, we hold people to account. Therefore, we must be accountable ourselves. And that can be with your assistance and collaboration. The media is an integral part of the society as it passes information from the government to the people and brings feedback that enables us to know how our activities impact on the people”.
Agbo further stated that as his government serves the grassroots and riding on the back of Governor Ugwuanyi’s developmental programs, the journalists therefore have crucial roles to play in bridging the information gap between the government and the people, especially as to how to align with the activities of all the tiers of government for maximum benefit.
He urged the journalists to remain focused and steadfast regardless of their numerous challenges, adding that they are operating under the current parlous state of the Nigerian economy that has put many businesses in a bind.
Responding, the leader of the group, Mr Chijioke Attah reiterated their intention to partner with the council for better results in serving the people of the area.
He said that as allies in service of the people, they looked forward to having access to the chairman and his programs as they intended to play their part from close proximity.
He stated that with the policies and programmes deployed so far by the council boss, they had no doubt he would do well in his avowed mission for the local government.
On his part, Mr. Chinazom Amadi intoned they would henceforth do their jobs with a lot of sense of pride as not only that one of their own was at the helm, he had also already begun on a sound note of success as the workers, the immediate performance sensor of any administration at that level, were already on the same page with him and welcome his people-centered style of leadership.
Mr. Ike Okenyi urged the Chairman not to be distracted by any selfish interests that might interfere with his good programs, as the council remained the only arm of government close to the people, adding that the people’s interest should always be paramount.
