By Bernadette Idalu

BENIN CITY – Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has thanked management of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Benin Zone,for appreciating the effort of government at making society work, promising the provision of better security to aid the state’s industrialization drive.

The  Deputy Governor, made the remarks while receiving the Zonal Director and Management Staff of NTA Benin, who were on a thank you visit to him for his care and support to the family of Late Lawrence Okojie.

Shaibu said government was working to ensure  peace and security in Edo in order to industrialize the state.

Shaibu stated that when the issue of state police is finally resolved, Edo would be able to put measures in place to make society safer. 

Going down memory lane on why he placed premium on  members of Fourth Estate of the Realm, Shaibu said his life was saved by a journalist who, through his write up, raised an alarm that he ( Shaibu) was still incarcerated at the Maiduguru prison when other pro-democracy agitators were freed by the draconian Abacha regime. He said but for the journalist, he would have long been forgotten and rot away in prison. 

On the family of the late  Lawrence Okojie, the Deputy Governor said he quitely chose to assist the widow and the baby with monthly stipend pending when  the NTA Management fulfills its pledge of giving her a job.

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The plage was finally fulfilled in April as the widow, Mrs. Aisosa Okojie was employed as a marketing officer in the Benin Zonal Office of the NTA. 

He reiterated his continued support for  journalists in times of celebration and times of grief. He nonetheless praised the leadership style of the NTA Zonal Director, Pauline Igbanor, Esq.

Speaking earlier on the reason for the visit, Zonal Director, NTA, Mrs. Pauline Igbanor, said, the NTA team was on a thank you visit to appreciate Shaibu for standing by  members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm during the murder of Lawrence Okojie in 2017.

She said, “you graciously placed Aisosa on a monthly stipend quietly. The Director General, NTA promised her a job; process of employment is tedious in the Federal Civil Service and its agencies. Hence, your intervention sustained the  family and for over two years. We don’t have the financial ability to do that. Thanks for your show of love.”

Igbanor stated that Aisosa Okojie received her letter of employment on April 9, 2019, as a marketing officer with the NTA and has since asdumed duty.

On her part, Mrs. Aisosa Okojie appreciated the intervention of the Edo State Deputy Governor which she said, helped at sustaining the family during its time of grief.