The Management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Yenagoa, has commended the Bayelsa State Government over the recently commissioned Ernest Ikoli Media Complex at Ekeki in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The General Manager of NTA Yenagoa, Mrs. Daoju Whyte, gave the commendation on Tuesday, when she led a delegation of the top management staff of the television station on a courtesy visit to the state Deputy Governor , Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in Government House, Yenagoa.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, the NTA General manager described the media complex named after one of Nigeria’s foremost journalists and nationalist, Ernest Ikoli, as the first of its kind in the country.
Mrs. Whyte, who used the opportunity to congratulate Governor Douye Diri and his deputy on their second anniversary in office, noted that the successful inauguration of the project was a true testament to the present administration’s appreciation of the significant role the media play in governance.
She said NTA Yenagoa had drawn up a number of programmes to market the democratic dividends being provided by the state government including its women empowerment programmes and highlighted the administration’s economic growth plans for the state.
Mrs. Whyte who also highlighted some of the operational challenges facing the television station, appealed to the state government to assist them with a 150KVA generator, vehicles, renovation of the station’s building, and provision of potable water in the premises.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, charged the NTA Yenagoa to improve on its programming and reportage of events in line with global best practices.
He said many Nigerians seem not to have confidence in the NTA anymore as a reliable news organization, especially when it concerns controversial issues involving the Federal Government.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo therefore called on the Mrs. Daoju Whyte-led NTA Yenagoa management to think outside the box with a view to making the desired change and impact to move the station forward.
The Deputy Governor assured them that he would relate their requests for a 150KVA generator and renovation of the building to the Governor, while his office would take steps to provide potable water and refurbish the decrepit operational vehicle for the station.