Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has challenged the media to advocate for policies that would prioritize sustainable development and empower local communities.
The governor gave the charge in his address Thursday, at the opening ceremony of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference holding at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Gov. Diri acknowledged the significant role of the media in democratic governance and urged the practitioners to remain faithful to the tenets and ethics of the profession by building trust with the public, and fortifying the foundations of a healthy democracy.
The governor described the theme of the conference: “Economic Growth and Development Strategies in Resource -Rich Country” as apt, regretting however, that Nigeria brims with abundant resources, yet poverty and underdevelopment persist across countless rural communities.
Using Bayelsa as a case study, Gov. Diri pointed out that even as a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas production, the state faces severe environmental challenges and economic hardship.
He said the cry by the state for requisite attention over the years had been largely ignored.
The governor drew attention to the report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, recently presented to the State Executive Council, which shed light on the devastating impact of oil and gas pollution in the state, highlighting the urgent need for remedial action and sustainable solutions.
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The governor who also touched on the sub-theme of the conference: “Good Practices for Viable /Sustainable Financing” in the context of a free press, argued that the press faces a daunting challenge maintaining neutrality, while ensuring financial sustainability.
“When those who fund the press have significant influence over the content, it can compromise the press’s ability to report truthfully and hold those in power accountable,” he stressed.
Gov. Diri used the forum to highlight some of the actions and programs of his administration to change the fortunes of the state for the better.
He said the thrust of his administration to develop.Bayelss State is anchored on agricultural revolution and blue economy, sports and youth development, security and peace, urban renewal and rural development.
Others are robust healthcare delivery, energy generation and economic growth and diversifying education towards innovation and technology with guaranteed quality delivery.
