Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria, (ACNPN ) in Delta State, have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting and partnering with His Excellency, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori’s administration.
The Publishers made the pledge during the end of 2024 Gala night / End of Year party in Asaba yesterday. Comrade Ike Philip Abiagom,the Chairman of the Community Newspapers Publishers on Tuesday, December 31 acknowledged the administration’s media-friendly approach and highlighted the improved relationship between the government and the Community-based publishers.
At Gala nite , the Chairman of the Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria, (ACNPN ) Delta State Council, Comrade Abiagom, praised Governor Oborevwori government for regularly briefing the media through the office of Commissioner for Information and Chief Press Secretary (CPS), which has enhanced the bond between the administration and media professionals in the state.
Abiagom explained that Publishers in Delta State are in a more favourable position compared to those in many other states due to the consistent backing they receive from the government.
While he underscored that the media practitioners would remain committed to reciprocating the governor’s generosity. The ACNPN chairman praised Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon for fostering a harmonious relationship with the media.
“We do not take the relationship you have built with us for granted. And we will continue to reciprocate this gesture in building our state. The synergy we have across all sectors of the media in the state is as a result of the relationship you have built from the scratch.”
In his remark, the National Leader of ACNPN, Comrade Jude Obiemenyego, expressed his belief that Governor Oborevwori’s outstanding performance has facilitated the work of those publicizing the government’s activities.
Obiemenyego highlighted the positive collaboration between the Community Newspaper Publishers and Governor Oborevwori’s administration, stating that while he and his colleagues are not government employees, they would be committed to working together for the state’s interest.
Also speaking, the secretary of ACNPN, Comrade Alaska Ekele, hailed Governor Oborevwori for fostering a media-friendly environment that welcomed both criticism and praise.
Ekele acknowledged the governor’s support by sending a representative to our last year Publishers Conference, noting that the yearly end-of-year Gala nite served as an opportunity to express gratitude and reinforce the partnership between the government and the publishers.
“Ingratitude is not just when we do not see what others do but the inability to express it. I must admit that we have been very fair to the Delta State Government in our reportage and we will continue to partner with our grand patron His Excellency, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori’s administration.
“We had an excellent relationship in 2024 and we hope that in 2025, the Community Publishers will have patriotic cooperation and responsible journalism. If we recall, the Rwanda genocide was media-instigated and the media personnel were not spared in the genocide. In breaking the news, let us not break the state”, he said.
During the gala nite, Comrade Abiagom emphasized the importance of verifying information before publication to prevent misinformation. He revealed his intention to conduct a training session for Community Newspaper Publishers practitioners in Delta state.