Taraba State Government expresses readiness to transform Jalingo Press Center
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has expressed readiness to upgrade Oyekhire Press Center Jalingo to improve efficiency of Journalists practicing in Taraba State
As part of the government’s earnest move, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas has delegated the Deputy Governor of the State Alhaji Aminu Alkali and the Hon Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Barr Zainab Usman Jalingo, who had seperately visited the Press Center for an on the spot assessment of facilities
First to visit the Center was the Deputy Governor who swiftly key into the Governor Kefas move. The Deputy Governor who was received at the Center by the State Executive Officers led by the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Uninion of Journalists NUJ, Comrade Also Adamu, told Journalists that Taraba State Governor holds high regard on journalists owing to their crucial roles in the development of the state
He expressed dismay over the delapidated State of facilities at the Center and assured Journalists that the State Governor who had asked him to come for the assessment would not leave the Press Center to remain in such a horrible condition.
“My visit is just a follow up of your interaction with my boss, the Executive Governor of Taraba Statate, Dr Agbu Kefas. He actually asked me to come for a physical assessment of your facilities and to say the least, I agree with you that this Center is truly an eyesore. I have gone round and I have seen things myself. I will take it back to His Excellency, and I believe that he will definitely come to your aid
“You need Internet facilities here at your center to enable you send your stories without moving from one shop to another. You also need a befitting Hall to be holding Press conferences here instead of hotels and of course, you need other facilities to enable you have good relaxation to re-energise yourselves when work becomes boring among other things. I will take all these things back to His Excellency and I believe as he does his things, he will not forsake you”. He stated.
Few days after the Deputy Governor’s visit, the Hon Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Barr Zainab Usman Jalingo, was also at the center on the governor’s directive. She told Journalists that His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas has high regard on Journalists and the crucial role they play in the society thus, he would do everything possible to create an enabling environment for them to operate effectively
“I am here on behalf of His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas as a result of the earlier visit that was conducted by the Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Aminu Alkali to your Press Center. His Excellency had asked me to come and see for myself so as to verify the content of the breakdowns you have submitted.
“I need not to tell you that the governor recognizes your crucial role in his administration and he would never take it for granted. His Excellency’s emphasis has always been that he should create a comfortable environment for you to enable you operate effectively. I am sure he will come to your aid”. The commissioner stated.
When asked by reporters what Journalists should expect after the two important visits, the Hon Commissioner simply quoted a legal term “Res ipsa loquitur” which she interpreted as “the facts will speak for themselves”.
The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Taraba State Council, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen, while interacting with reporters shortly after the two visits, described Governor Agbu Kefas as a media friendly governor.
Comrade Mathew Jen who expressed optimism that the governor in his way of life, would do even more than what the council had requested, called on Journalists in the state to do everything possible to project the good works the governor had been doing in the state since assumption of office.
“For us Journalists in the State, we are rest assured that we have gotten a governor to work with. This is a person who has the state at heart. You can imagine that we just had a dinner with him in few days back where we notified him that our Press Center is an aiso. Today you can see things for yourselves. The Deputy Governor was here few days back under His Excellency’s directives. Today again, we received the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation. With this alone, we are comforted. We are sure that the governor will come to our aid”. He added.
Meanwhile, the two visits at the Press Center have resurrected the hopes of Journalists in the state, with each expressing optimism that the long awaited transformation of their Press Center which has been in a delapidated State for years, would now receive a touch, especially that their friendly Governor is gradually transforming the state in almost all sectors
