Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has urged oil companies residing in the state to support the community newspapers as part of their social responsibilities, as he inaugurated the newly elected executive committee of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN) at its 2024 Lectures and Awards Ceremony.
The Governor who was represented at the ceremony by his Senior Political Adviser, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, advised the new executive to justify the confidence reposed on them by their members.
Oborevwori decried the challenges posed by community newspaper publishers, urging them to be resilient and focused on reporting issues affecting rural communities.
The governor pleaded with oil and gas companies whose major operations are in the rural communities to make budgetary provisions to support community newspaper publishers.
In his welcome speech, the outgoing chairman of ACNPN, comrade Jude Obiemenyego commended the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for Supporting and making the occasion a success.
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He noted that community newspapers have contributed and will continue to contribute to its quota by giving a sense of belonging to government and grassroots dwellers as part of its responsibilities through exchange of vital information.
Comrade Jude Obiemenyego added that the occasion is an annual event of the association where the association honours personalities and cooperates organizations that have contributed to the growth and development of communities and beyond.
The 2024 ACNPN publisher’s week lecture and award ceremony 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’s economic growth”
The newly sworn in Chairman of the Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria Comrade Ike Abiagom, said he would build on the foundation of his predecessors in office, promising all-inclusive administration.