Aniagwu urge Deltans to observe COVID-19 health protocol, says Okowa committed to a stronger Delta

By Akpos Oghenetega,

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has appealed to the people of Delta state to follow the health protocols prescribed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state government as part of strategies to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Aniagwu made the call when he visited members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), association online news publishers at the forum’s office in Asaba the Delta state capital on Tuesday.

The call followed the continuous rise of the confirmed cases in both the state and at the national level, a development which has not given rest to the health officials and the Delta state government. At the early hours of Tuesday, the confirmed cases in Delta have risen to 88. The figure has 63 as active cases, 17 discharged and 8 deaths recorded.

He expressed displeasure over the COVID-19 patient whose mobilized his relations to storm and removes him forcefully from the isolation centre, saying everyone who knew him should stay away from him to avoid being infected by the coronavirus. He advised Deltans to stop playing politics with the virus, adding that COVID-19 is not fake but real.

The Commissioner also disclosed that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa remained resolute in his quest to build a stronger and united Delta in spite of challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, a better, stronger and smarter Delta will benefit all the people of the state and that is what Okowa’s administration is determined to give to citizens.

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He stated that the government had taken steps to develop the state in the last five years, adding that a lot of the electoral promises by the governor had been achieved.

“We can beat our chest that we have surpassed very many of the promises we made during the electioneering.

“We have a covenant with the people of Delta to create jobs, build infrastructure and make life meaningful for our people. We have so far constructed over 400 roads spanning 1,300 kilometres, with line drainages among other infrastructure.

“In the days ahead we are counting on the same support, if not more because your report has so far culminated in the rating of Delta as second in terms of standard of living in the country.

“We plead with you to continue to assist us in the sensitisation of our people,’’ the commissioner said.

He commended members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum for publicizing the activities of the state government, saying the governor; Dr Ifeanyi Okowa appreciates what the members of the forum are doing for the state.

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Aniagwu, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Olisa Ifeajika, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Nelson Egware and two others for the interaction, said Governor Okowa is focused on building a lasting legacy for the people of Delta, urging media practitioners and all Deltans to key into all programmes of the governor.

Mr Ifeajika, the CPS to the governor, told the forum members that Delta state is for all Deltans, hence every resident should join hands to build a state that will be the envy of all, both within and outside the state.

Ifeajika said the state government has nothing to hide from anyone insisting that the state is open and the government is transparent in its dealings with the people. He called on the media to verify all reports available to them before publishing.

He agreed that the online media which is already beating the mainstream media in the distribution of news and other information has come to stay. He, however, called for online media practitioners to watch and ensure stories are credible before publishing.

Chairman of the forum, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli, told the commissioner that members of DOPF have been supportive of the programmes of the government in the state, appealing for government patronage to the group as critical stakeholders in the Delta project.

He told the commissioner that members of the DOPF always verify their stories before publishing and have been at the forefront of communicating the state government’s policies and programme to Deltans.