…Obiyai says government committed to development, promises consideration of media briefing at Exco level
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Koku Ebiowou Obiyai, has highlighted some of the achievements of her ministry, including the renovation and repositioning of its facilities, procurement of a printing press for the state-owned newspaper corporation and upgrading of broadcast infrastructure.
Obiyai stated this on Thursday when she received members of the Bayelsa State Independent Publishers Association (BIPA), led by its Chairman, Mr Ebi Andy Ozegbe, during a courtesy visit to her office in Yenagoa.
The commissioner said her administration had renovated and repositioned the ministry to enhance operational efficiency and boost staff morale.
She disclosed that the ministry facilitated the purchase of a printing press for the Bayelsa State Newspaper Corporation, while efforts were also made to upgrade facilities at the state television station and strengthen its capacity through links to international television channels.
Obiyai cautioned individuals within government against making statements capable of undermining the administration, urging Bayelsans to embrace mutual encouragement rather than pulling one another down.
“The Bayelsa we want is not to pull each other down,” she said.
She acknowledged the support extended to media organisations by previous administrations but urged media practitioners not to interpret the present government’s disposition as a sign of unwillingness to engage with the press.
According to her, the government remains committed to addressing developmental challenges and is preoccupied with programmes and activities aimed at taking the state out of poverty.
On the proposed weekly media briefing by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the commissioner said the matter would be discussed at the State Executive Council level, expressing optimism that the initiative could commence next year.
She also defended the performance of media managers in the state, insisting that they were making efforts to publicise government activities despite the volume of information requiring coverage.
“I don’t agree that we are under-reporting the state. You can never report all the news at the same time,” she said.
The commissioner appealed to publishers and other media practitioners to work closely with the ministry to strengthen information dissemination and improve government-media relations.
On the forthcoming burial of the late BIPA Chairman, Mr Union Oyadonghan, Obiyai disclosed that the state government had made some approvals towards the burial arrangements.
She encouraged Bayelsans to continue supporting and encouraging one another, particularly during challenging times.
Earlier, the BIPA Chairman, Mr Ebi Andy Ozegbe, congratulated Obiyai on her appointment as the media coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.
He also commiserated with her over the death of her mother-in-law.
Ozegbe recalled the circumstances surrounding the formation of BIPA and the cordial relationship that existed between the media community and successive state administrations.
He emphasised the need for the present administration to sustain a productive relationship with media practitioners, noting that effective government-media engagement was essential for public enlightenment and accountability.
The BIPA chairman particularly appealed for stronger collaboration between the government and the association as it intensifies preparations for the burial of its late chairman, Union Oyadonghan, scheduled for Friday.
He further requested the commissioner’s assistance in facilitating a media interaction involving all ministries, departments and agencies to enable the government to present its achievements, programmes and activities under the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri.
Ozegbe said such an engagement would provide publishers with firsthand information on government policies and projects while creating an opportunity for constructive dialogue between the government and the media.