Consolidate On Okowa’s Development Efforts, Agas Urges Media

Secretary to the Delta State Government, Hon. Festus Ovie Agas has charged the media to consolidate on the development efforts of the Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa- led administration by embracing the culture of constructive criticism and analysis of government policies and actions rather than resorting to the counter-productive tendency of pulling down the state government.
Agas gave this charge when he played host to members of the Urhobo Media Practitioners’ Forum (UMPG), who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Asaba, Delta State capital.
He observed that Okowa’s administration welcomes media analyses that are accurate, fair, balanced and can redirect the course of governance to the right track, noting, however, that there will be no room for rumour mongering that aims to vitiate the government.
The SSG, who recounted the primary functions of the mass media to include information, education and entertainment, averred that the media was strategic to the historic emergence of the new administration and, as such, it will be less rational for the media to launch unconfirmed accusations against it.
He, therefore, urged the media to partner with the state government which, according to him, is determined to extend the border of the dividends of democracy to sundry citizens.
His words: “I want to use this opportunity to call on the media to partner with the government of Delta State. There is what is known as communication for development and, when you embrace this, it will impact more positively on the society.
“We know the information, education and entertainment roles of the media, if we can use these roles positively, then the society will be a better place for all.
“The Senator Okowa’s-led government has never laid claim to the monopoly of knowledge; he has always said that in every democratic setting, you can criticise the government. But, all we ask for is that your criticism should be constructive and research based so that, by the time you make your publications, it will not be a hearsay one”.