• Delta IGR exceeds 2024 target in nine months
To strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged media practitioners to downplay stories that aggravate sentiments but consolidate their constitutional role of balanced factual reportage and agenda setting.
In another development, the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) hit N111.73 billion between January and September 2024, exceeding the yearly revenue target of N110.304 billion for the year.
The executive board of the state’s internal revenue board, Solomon Ighrakpata, said the feat was achieved through the laudable projects of Governor Oborevwori’s administration, encouraged by the taxpayers, who could see evidence of their taxes being judiciously utilised for their overall benefit.
According to him, the increase in revenue was through the whistle-blower’s policy, which gives latitude to tax consultants and interested individuals/public to bring forward reliable information about companies and individuals involved in tax evasion and secrecy.
Oborevwori’s charge on the media was made at the 30th anniversary of The Pointer newspaper with the theme, ‘Honouring Truth and Unity Through Excellence in Public Communication, in Asaba.
The governor, who bagged The Pointer’s ‘Exemplary Democrat and Transformational Leadership Award’ at the ceremony, emphasised that the media must speak truth to power civilly and responsibly, and hold political leaders accountable.
He said: “It has been 30 of twists and turns, trials and triumphs in the turbulent world of print journalism. In three decades of its existence, I want to say without any fear of contradiction that The Pointer has done well in playing the traditional media roles of information, education and entertainment.
“Even more significantly, The Pointer has been a strong ally of the Delta State government in promoting the policies and programmes of successive administrations, while respectfully advocating unity and peaceful co-existence.”
Acknowledging the challenges facing the newspaper, the governor said circulation had dropped, advertising patronage remained low and online presence remained poor.
Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, who said The Pointer remained one of the outstanding state-owned print media in Nigeria, lauded the company for being a nursery for exceptional journalists.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, said the newspaper endured over the years due to the professionalism of the board, management and staff. He commended Governor Oborevwori for upgrading and maintaining the equipment for the state’s owned media outfits.
Chairman of Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation, Publishers of The Pointer, Ebenezer Okorodudu, said the company had consistently delivered accurate information to Deltans, the South-South and the entire country.
