Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has charged media practitioners, particularly the Abia Think Tank (ATT) Online, to strive to be the voice of truth and catalyst for societal transformation.
Governor Otti gave the charge Thursday while officially opening the Abia North zonal office of the Abia Think Tank Online News held at the SKOG Complex, Amaekpu in Ohafia LGA.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, noted that the media has continued to play a crucial role in shaping public perception, holding leadership accountable, and fostering development.
He said that the event marks another significant milestone in the collective efforts toward building an informed, progressive, and transparent Abia State and urged ATT News to remain steadfast in ethical journalism.
The state chief executive, who reiterated the unwavering commitment of his administration to continue upholding freedom of the press and fostering an enabling environment for journalism to thrive, vowed to continue to encourage the press.
“As ATT News expands its presence, I charge you to remain steadfast in your mission of ethical journalism, be the voice of truth, a beacon of hope and catalyst for societal transformation.
“We believe that a well-informed society is a progressive society, and as such, we will continue to encourage professionalism, factual reportage, and integrity in media practice,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor announced that as an administration that prides itself on transparency, good governance and inclusivity, it recognises the media as a crucial partner in the mission to transform Abia State.
He said that since the inception of the present administration, his government has made remarkable progress in various sectors of the economy, ranging from infrastructural renewal to economic revitalisation, youth empowerment, healthcare reforms, civil service reforms and security enhancement, among others.
“As an administration that prides itself on transparency, good governance, and inclusivity, we recognize the media as a vital partner in our mission to transform Abia State for the better.
“Today in Abia state, as part of the reforms of civil service the payment of workers’ salaries and 100 percent payment of monthly pension of our pensioners happens on or before 28th of every month.
“Our investment in healthcare has seen the revitalization of primary and secondary healthcare centers, equipping them with modern medical facilities to provide quality healthcare services for our citizens.
“In the area of education, we have continued to reposition our schools through strategic interventions ensuring that Abia remains at the forefront of academic excellence in Nigeria,” Gov. Otti noted.
Governor Otti attributed these successes, in part, to the constructive partnership between the government and the media, which has ensured responsible and balanced reportage and commended the management and editorial team of ATT News, and lauded their dedication to credible journalism and objective news dissemination. He emphasized the crucial role of the media in shaping public perception, holding leadership accountable, and fostering development.
In his remarks, the Mayor Ohafia LGA Chief Eleanya Kalu commended the publisher, Mr. Uduma Nnate, for providing a platform where verifiable information is disseminated to the public and urged the outfit to avoid getting involved in propaganda and character assassination.
“What we want is a society where the information that is being shared is verifiable and exactly the way it happened.”
“Ensure that the platform is not used by politicians to put things the way they are not because we want an Abia State where there is credible information that is shared in the public space,” Kalu advised.
In his speech, the Chairman Abia State Harmonized Taskforce on Petroleum, Air Commodore Ifeanyi Azubuike (Rtd.), while applauding the publisher for the courage to venture into the media industry, urged him to get abreast of the key elements that guide professionalism in the industry.
Represented by Mr Sam Oditah, Air Commodore Ifeanyi Azubuike Rtd, equally urged the media outfit to be ethical in their approach and try to avoid sensationalism and blackmail.
Also, the publisher and chief executive officer, Abia Think Tank Online News, Mr. Uduma Nnate, explained that the Abia North zonal office became necessary to reach out to the grassroots, adding that the media outfit will soon establish its presence in Aba to serve the Abia south senatorial zone.
While noting that information dissemination is better when closer to the grassroots, they announced that plans are on the way to establish a Radio and Television station. He appreciated Governor Alex Otti for the conducive environment he provided for the media and businesses to thrive.
DIVINE NWANKWO
HOD (Information)
Government House Umuahia.
20 -02 -2025.
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