By: Uti Fidelis
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the
Governor of Delta State on Community Newspapers, Comrade Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, alongside the leadership and executive members of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), Delta State Council, led by its State Chairman, Comrade Ike Philip Abiagom, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Olorogun Innocent Esewezie, at his liaison office.
The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation and the council chairman to engage in extensive discussions on governance, development, media partnership, and the achievements recorded by the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, over the past three years.
Speaking during the visit, members of the delegation commended Olorogun Esewezie for what they described as his exemplary leadership and impressive developmental projects across Oshimili North Local Government Area. They noted that his administration has continued to implement people-oriented programmes and infrastructural projects that have positively impacted residents at the grassroots.
The meeting featured an interactive session during which the community newspaper publishers sought the chairman’s views on several national, state, and local government issues, including governance, economic reforms, politics, security, and grassroots development.
Responding, Olorogun Esewezie expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit and the confidence reposed in his administration. He emphasized that while governors and local government chairmen have continued to deliver democratic dividends to the people, many of the developmental gains being recorded today are products of the bold reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, President Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon courage and leadership by taking difficult but necessary decisions aimed at repositioning Nigeria for long-term growth and stability.
He cited the removal of fuel subsidy as one of the administration’s landmark reforms, explaining that although the policy initially posed economic challenges for citizens, it was a necessary step toward strengthening the nation’s economy and redirecting resources to critical sectors of development.
The council chairman also highlighted ongoing constitutional and institutional reforms, including efforts toward the establishment of state policing, describing them as strategic measures designed to improve security architecture and deepen good governance across the country.
Esewezie further observed that the synergy between the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Delta State Government’s M.O.R.E. Agenda has created an enabling environment for meaningful development at the grassroots, empowering local government councils to execute projects and programmes that directly improve the lives of citizens.
Earlier in his remarks, the SSA to the Governor on Community’s Newspapers, Comrade Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, praised the Oshimili North chairman for his accessibility, humility, and commitment to service. He described Olorogun Esewezie as one of the most outstanding local government administrators in Delta State and urged him to sustain the momentum of development in the council area.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of ACNPN, Comrade Ike Philip Abiagom, commended the council chairman for his achievements and assured him of the association’s continued support in promoting responsible journalism and disseminating accurate information on government policies and programmes to the grassroots.
Abiagom urged the chairman to continue carrying community newspaper publishers along, noting that they remain the closest media link between government and the people at the grassroots level.
The ACNPN leadership reaffirmed its support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and pledged to continue sensitizing the public on government initiatives and developmental programmes. The association also reiterated its commitment to maintaining a constructive partnership with the Oshimili North Local Government Council.
In a further demonstration of its political stance, the association expressed readiness to mobilize support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the 2027 general elections, citing the developmental achievements of both leaders and the need to sustain the Renewed Hope and M.O.R.E. Agendas for the benefit of Nigerians and Deltans.
Addressing the publishers, Olorogun Esewezie charged members of the association to remain objective, professional, and committed to promoting factual and balanced reportage. He encouraged community newspaper publishers to continue serving as credible channels for information dissemination by highlighting government achievements and countering misinformation through responsible journalism.
According to him, the successes recorded by both the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the Oborevwori administration deserve wider publicity to ensure that citizens remain adequately informed about ongoing projects, policies, and programmes aimed at improving their welfare.
The council chairman concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, grassroots development, and strategic collaboration with the media. He assured the association of his continued support and emphasized the vital role of community newspapers in advancing public enlightenment and community development across Delta State.