The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has urged media professionals in Edo State to engage more in investigative journalism in order to fulfill their watch dog role in the society.
Hon. Shaibu noted this while making his speech at the annual breakfast session with journalists which he hosted at his residence in Benin City.
Recounting his painful experience in detention during the Abacha’s regime, the Deputy Governor said it took the boldness of an investigative journalist to secure his release other activists who were unjustly incarcerated.
“Recall how the Abacha regime denied that it was still holding some activists up in custody. Amidst the excruciating torture that we were subjected to in order to confess to crimes we didn’t commit, it took an investigative journalist who didn’t just report but listed the names of those still held in detention. At that point, the regime had no choice but to release us” Hon. Shaibu revealed.
The Deputy Governor also said journalists must at all times uphold the freedom that citizens currently enjoy under democracy hence the need to hold government accountable to the people. “Without democracy, we all loose” he said.
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor restated the commitment of the Obaseki’s administration to transparency and accountability. According to him “Edo government has nothing to hide. We don’t see journalists as our enemies. Infact, we can work together in order to deliver dividends of democracy to people.”
To demonstrate his commitment to investigative journalism, the Deputy Governor urged NUJ Edo Council to identify the best investigative journalist for an award and cash prize during the next year breakfast session which he promised to fund. Other categories of the award would include best journalist of the year and best reporting journalist of the year.
He however, charged NUJ Edo council to be transparent in the selection process as it was only a means of encouraging a culture of excellence among the journalists in the state.
The newly elected NUJ Edo Council Chairman, Mr. Festus Alenkhe commended the Deputy Governor’s consistent support to the union.
“Your Excellency sir, we acknowledge your consistent support to journalists in Edo State. You are one leader we can always approach. We see this day as an annual day of celebration and reflection” Mr. Alenkhe remarked.
