The Bayelsa State government has announced the institution of Ernest Ekoli memorial annual lecture in honour of the first editor of Daily Times, the late Mr. Ernest Ekoli.
This is coming at a time Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that he is determined to leave lasting legacies in infrastructure development as he considers it a rare privilege to govern the state.
Speaking at a gale night hosted in honour of members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Saturday to round off the three-day 20th All-Nigeria Editors Conference(ANEC) in Yenagoa, Diri said the state government would collaborate with NGE to organise the Ernest Ekoli annual lecture beginning from next year.
While responding to remarks of the NGE president, Mr. Eze Anaba, Governor Diri approved the request to institute an annual lecture to honour and immortalise a foremost nationalist and pioneer editor of Daily Times, late Mr. Ernest Sesei Ikoli, an indigene of Bayelsa State, beginning from 2025.
He also granted an appeal by the Guild’s president for two interns at the state-owned Niger Delta Television (NDTV), who missed out when the governor directed the employment of 13 of their colleagues when he visited the station last year.
Governor Diri said he treats issues of development of the state seriously as he is aware that constitutionally he is allowed only two terms in office.
He gave assurance that with his deputy, they will keep doing their best in the remaining three years for Bayelsans to feel the impact of their service to the state and to the country.
He said: “For us, it is a rare privilege to serve our people. Opportunity like this does not come often. By the constitution of Nigeria, I am barred from contesting again as governor of Bayelsa State.
“So, the only thing that will speak for me, my deputy and most of us in this administration, is the legacy that we leave in terms of both human and material infrastructure. Developing the state is now in our hands and we will keep doing our best in the remaining three years so that when we leave, the state will continue to feel our impact having travelled this eight-year journey in service to people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.”
Earlier in his address, the NGE President expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for being a good host and for recognising the essential roles editors play in shaping the society.
He also stated that the support of the governor during the conference was an indication of the importance he attached to a free and responsible press.
In a welcome remark, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, commended the Guild for promoting excellence in journalism and for successfully organising the 20th ANEC.
Highpoint of the night of glitz and glamour was the presentation of an award to Governor Diri by the Guild and the induction of 12 new members.
Two initiators of the ANEC, Halilu Baba Dantiye,m and Angela Agoawike were also honoured by the Guild.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nimibofa Ayaowei, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo.
Others were the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, presidential media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene as well as other top editors, leaders and veterans of the media industry.
Highlight of the event was the honour of Mallam Baba Dantiye, Commissioner of Information, Kano State and Ms Angela Agoawike, Founder of Omalicha FM in Owerri, who were president and secretary respectively of NGE when ANEC commenced 20 years ago.
