BENIN CITY- The management of the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, (BNCL) Publisher of The OBSERVER titles has been assured of the support and contributions of Edo State indigenes in Diaspora towards the revamping and retooling of the state government -owned prints media.
Two prominent Edo State indigenes, Mr. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Foreign Matters and Diaspora Investment and Mr. David Igbinadolor, Chairman /CEO, Davelyn Global Technologies, USA Incorporated, gave the assurance yesterday while speaking as guests at the ongoing Observer Partnership Forum.
Mr. Agbonayinma who was visibly touched by the poor state of facilities at the company, described the situation as appalling and disheartening.
He observed that The NIGERIAN OBSERVER newspapers had been around for many years, adding that the time has come for all citizens of Edo State to put their ideas and vision into action by participating in the rebuilding of the state.
“You cannot have a responsible government and not have responsible citizens. I am happy that we have a governor who wants to make a difference in his time,
Although, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER is a government organ, yet at the same time, people contribute their quota to government institution.
I believe that The NIGERIAN OBSERVER cannot be an exception. I am going to reach out to Edo indigenes in Diaspora to contribute to the retooling of The NIGERIAN OBSERVER. Already, we have spoken to a number of them and I am confident that the Edo National Association Annual Convention holden from September 4-6, 2009 in California, San Francisco will provide the platform to project the needs of this newspaper house,” Mr. Agbonayinma stated.
On his part, Mr. David Igbinadolor whose company deals in heavy machinery in the United States of America, gave a concrete promise to help resuscitate some of the broken down printing machines in the Commercial Printing Section.
Mr. Igbinadolor commended the BNCL management for its tenacity and the ingenuity of the workers in producing the newspapers with near obsolete printing machines that were no longer fashionable in the modern publishing industry.
He also pledged to liaise with various organizations in the USA which are in a position to support The NIGERIAN OBSERVER.
Earlier, the Acting General Manager of the BNCL, Mr. Monday Aigbe explained that The NIGERIAN OBSERVER just like any media house plays vital role in information dissemination.
The Ag General Manager, however, noted that unlike most mainstream national dailies, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER’s function and focus are different as it is a government information organ which is expected to carry the views of government at all times to the public and vice versa.
He said government has right to own a newspaper as it is the major actor in any democratic dispensation, particularly in developing countries.
The BNCL boss stated that Edo State in general and The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in particular is lucky to have a responsive Governor who has indicated interest to reposition the newspaper house to enable it perform its functions effectively.
He however said that given sharp drop in the funds accruing to the state from the Federation Account and the competing needs of the state, it would not be wise to depend solely on government to shoulder the responsibility of restoring The NIGERIAN OBSERVER to its lost glory.
He explained that The OBSERVER Partnership Forum was conceived as part of management initiative to forge a new spirit of understanding and co-operation with individuals and corporate organisations in the drive to revamp the newspaper house.
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