National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, yesterday, unveiled Ernest Ikoli Media Complex built by the Governor Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State.
He inaugurated the complex, which the state government named after the late media icon and pioneer editor of the Daily Times, as part of activities marking Diri’s second anniversary in office.
The edifice with 430 offices, 107 restrooms, two restaurants and other facilities, houses the state-owned media outfits, namely Radio Bayelsa, Niger Delta Television and the Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the New Waves Newspaper.
Ayu noted that Ikoli was not just the first editor of the Daily Times but also a nationalist adding that a part of him most Nigerians do not know was that he was once a journalist and an Editorial Board member of the Daily Times.
Ayu commended the performance of the Bayelsa governor, saying the party was proud of his achievements in two years.
He said it takes a man of great commitment to do so much in such a short time when some others were still struggling to find their footing in governance.
He said despite the initial hiccups in his first year, Diri stood against all odds and is breaking new grounds through the inauguration of several projects.
The party’s chair described Diri’s performance as the trademark of the PDP governors across the states as they were elected with the mandate to work for the people they govern.
He said: “I’m very proud of Governor Diri. It takes a man of singular commitment to do so much in a short time. Many of you who have governed states will know that sometimes it takes a governor about a year before he finds his feet.
“Diri came and stood on the shoulders of giants and because the ground was so prepared, he hit the ground running. Today after only two years, we are able to come here to inaugurate several projects.”
In his address, Diri said because of the history surrounding the state media, the government decided to name the complex after Nigeria’s foremost journalist whose contribution to the profession and the media is acknowledged all over Nigeria.
Diri recalled how some unfortunate incidents bedeviled the state radio station ranging from fire, windstorm and the ugly attack on the station and staffers on the eve of his swearing in by overzealous opposition party members.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ayibaina Duba, thanked Diri for keeping to his pledge to alleviate the pains of media practitioners in the state through the provision of the complex.
