Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief (Barr) Eze Chikamnayo has advised the Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria, OMPAN, Abia State chapter to partner with the Abia State government to move the state forward.
He stated this in his office when the new executive members of OMPAN Abia State chapter paid him a courtesy visit. Chief Eze Chikamnayo also reminded the OMPAN that Journalists are agents and facilitators of development.
Eze Chikamnayo, who harped on professionalism and development Journalism, encouraged the OMPAN to aim at becoming partners in progress with the government and other development agencies.
His words, “Become a catalyst of boosting development in Abia State. Eschew confrontation, eschew mischief, promote growth and promote anabolism, so that in a symbiotic way OMPAN and Abia State Government will help in the service of our people.
“Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu is a lover of Journalism. There is no governor in Nigeria today that has given the press unfiltered atmosphere to practice more than Gov. Ikpeazu. He believes in the protection and preservation of the rights of expression. Abia State today ranks first among others when it comes to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
“In Abia, freedom of speech is allowed and freedom after speech is guaranteed”.
Chief Chikamnayo further advised the OMPAN to focus on growth, development and on what will build “our society and give us greater dividends”.
Earlier in his speech, the new Chairman of Abia OMPAN, Comrade Paddy Anyanwu said that their roles as a watchdog in the society would never be compromised, adding that the union is putting more effort to strengthen its relationship and partnership with the Abia State government to ensure things work properly in the state.