By Mercy Onyenweli
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Thursday has called on oil and gas companies and private institutions in the various communities of operations in Delta State to provide budgetary provisions that is capable of patronizing Community Newspaper Publishers to enable them sustained the good work they are doing.
Governor Oborvowere who was represented by his senior Political Adviser, Hon. Francis Agwuariawodo stated this at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award ceremony of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria in ASABA,Delta State where he pledged his continuous support to the growth of the Association.
He commended the role of Publishers in ensuring proper dissemination of information across the Communities in Delta State.
“The private sector needs to patronize Community Newspaper Publishers by placing advertisement on their papers to enable them publish frequently ”
“If a Community Newspaper Publisher has upto two or three advertisement in an edition, the publisher can roll out another edition with ease, so they need our patronage. Let’s patronize them and make our State a better one “.he said.
Speaking further, he performed the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executive members of Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria, (ACNPN ), Delta State Council and charged them to uphold the constitution of the Association.
Governor Oborevwori further advised the new executive led by Comrade Ike Abiagom to justify the confidence reposed on them by building on the legacies of the outgone Chairman.
He noted that Government will continue to support Community Newspapers in the State as they are partners promoting good governance for the betterment of Deltans.
He encouraged Publishers to be resilient and focused in reporting issues affecting rural communities.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Doctor Isaac Akpoveta has given assurance that sixty per cent of residents in the state will be covered in the health scheme of the Commission next year.
Doctor Akpoveta stated this during an interview with newsmen shortly after being presented with an award of excellence in appreciation of his contribution to the health centre by the Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria at its 2024 Lectures and Awards Ceremony.
He said over 2.4 million residents of Delta State had been enrolled into the contributory health scheme so far .
He pointed out that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had committed over ten billion naira on the scheme as equity payment for pregnant women, under five aged children and the physically challenged ones who according to him do not pay for healthcare in any hospital.
He urged parents to register their children under five years at any health centre and hospital free of charge to access free healthcare services.
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission Director General who dedicated the award he received to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for according priority to the health programme, used the occasion to appeal to well to do Deltans to purchase health premium of seven thousand naira yearly, for the less privileged residents of the state as part of their contributions to achieving universal health coverage .
”I dedicate the award to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his MORE Agenda, for using his political will, financial support, and professional grassroots sagacity to make the scheme achieve the desired results.The Governor is the owner of the MORE Agenda which simply means go out there, and bring more Deltans especially the vulnerable, who ordinarily can not afford to pay for health scheme . The Governor has made it clear that every pregnant woman in Delta State is entitled to free healthcare; from the date of conception to delivery whether by normal delivery or cearcerian.” Akpoveta said.
He revealed that the Delta State Contributory Health Commission had received numerous awards, saying that Delta is ranked number
one state in the country with the highest enrollees and also best health insurance organisation in Nigeria and also in West Africa.
While expressing gratitude to media professionals for good coverage of the activities of the commission in all parts of the state, Doctor Akpoveta said the Commission would intensify efforts in sensitizing all Deltans on the importance of the scheme.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, the outgone chairman, of ACNPN, comrade Jude Obiemenyego commended the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for supporting and making the occasion a success.
Obiemenyego added that the occasion is an annual event of the association where the association honour deserving personalities and cooperate organisations that have contributed to the growth and development of communities and beyond.
The 2024 ACNPN publisher’s week lecture and award ceremony has as it’s theme: “The incessant killings in the country, building synergy between the governments and grassroots for effective remedy. Imperative of cooperative society, it’s impact on Nigerians and Nigeria economic growth”.
Highlights of the ceremony was inauguration of officers elected to various offices in the 2024 ACNPN Exco election, they are:
1. Chairman: Abiagom Ike Philip
2. Vice Chairman: Onyenweli Mercy
3. Secretary: Ekele Alaska
4. Assistant Secretary: Okolie Mayor-Charity
5. Treasurer: Segun Answer
6. Financial Secretary: Eboagu Cyprian
7. Auditor: Solomon Ogala
8. Provost: Mike Maha
9. PRO: Chukwuha Jude Oluchukwu