The Edo Government, on Tuesday solicited the support and partnership of the media to actualise its campaign promises to the people.
The state’s Deputy Gov., Mr Philip Shaibu, made the plea when he hosted media practitioners at an annual-get- together in his residence in Benin.
Shaibu said the Godwin Obaseki-led government was poised to better the lot of the people, adding that the role of the media was vital to achieving government’s mandates.
The deputy governor said aside helping to sell policies and programmes of the government, the media should educate and sensitise the people on its programmes.
Shaibu said that for any government to succeed, the media must play vital intermediary role between the government and the governed.
“Gov. Obaseki is ready and will fulfil the promises he made to the people during the governorship campaign and in doing that, he will need the partnership of the media.
“This government recognises the vital role of the media and as such, will solicit for its partnership and cooperation to take Edo to the next level.
“I have always seen myself as being a part of the pen-profession family because if not for the media, I do not think I will be alive to celebrate this season with you,’’ he said.
The Edo Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Roland Osakue, commended the deputy governor for recognising the role of the media, especially during the Christmas season.
He said Shaibu’s open door policy had endeared him to media practitioners in the state and urged him not to deviate from it.
NAN reports that journalists from all the media houses in the state were feted by the deputy governor during the annual “Breakfast Meeting with Journalists’’. (NAN)