BENIN CITY – An Acting General Manager has been appointed for Edo State Government owned media outfit, The Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of the Nigerian OBSERVER titles. He is Sir Barr. Solomon Imohiosen. He hails from Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. 

  A letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Orientation, Mr. Joses Sede, on behalf of the Hon. Commissioner, Barr Paul Ohonbamu, said he takes over from Mrs. Rhoda Akhanolu, also Acting General Manager who has proceeded on retirement with effect from June 6.

  The new acting General Manager who was until the appointment, the Editor (Daily) of the newspaper house holds a Bachelor of Arts (honours) and also Bachelor of Laws LLB (honours), all from the University of Benin, Benin City, as well as BL from the Nigeria Law School, Bwari, Abuja. He was called to the Bar in 2008.

  Sir, Barr. Imohiosen started his journalism career with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kaduna zonal office where he did the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), between December 1987 and November 1988.

  He joined Think Magazine and Kaduna Monitor Newspapers which he co-owned, financed by Delta business man, George Do Good Mokpo. He later freelanced for Today Newspapers Kaduna before joining the Nigerian Observer in August 1989.

  He was also at various times Senior Staff writer, Assistant Editor, News Editor, City Editor, Kaduna zonal office and equally held sway as City Editor of the Warri Office.

  An astute newspaper professional, he has also held the position of Sunday Editor as well as Editor, Weekend Observer.

  A journalist trainer, he is currently the State Coordinator, International Institute of Journalism, (IIJ) Abuja, Benin Study Centre.

  He has undergone several journalism training courses, among them are Economic Journalism, sponsored by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Secretariat and the Centre for Foreign Journalist/US Information Service, August 1990; Financial Journalism Course, sponsored by the British Council and the Thompson Foundation, November – December 1997; News Journalism Course, sponsored by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the European Commission, February 2001; Election Reporting, February, 2003, sponsored by the BBC; Developmental Journalism, sponsored by defunct PTF, November, 1998, among others.

  He received a Media Practitioners award in 2002 for his immense contribution to the advancement of journalism in Nigeria, sponsored by the Merit Media Network, Benin City, he is married with children. His unpublished work, “objectivity and media ownership, co-authored is soon to come on stream.