Uphold objectivity, defend press freedom, Otti’s aide urges journalists

In Umuahia, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has issued a strong call to journalists, urging them to uphold the highest standards of objectivity in their professional endeavors. Speaking to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ajagba reiterated the state government's unwavering commitment to press freedom, emphasizing that the administration under Governor Otti has no intention of suppressing the truth. He assured media practitioners of the government's support in carrying out their duties diligently, framing press freedom as a sacrosanct principle.

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We are not telling you to suppress the truth. If you see what is not going well in this administration, don’t keep quiet.

Ajagba's message conveyed a clear directive: journalists should not hesitate to report on any shortcomings or issues within the administration. He stressed that such critical reporting is not an act of suppression but a vital component of societal progress. The Chief of Staff underscored the media's indispensable role as a platform for holding leadership accountable across all sectors—government, business, and communities. He posited that the press's oversight function and its ability to examine issues from multiple perspectives are crucial for helping the government to improve its performance.

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The governor will never tell you to do that. Doing so means gagging the press, and society will not be better for it. So, we want you to remain objective in your reportage.

The interaction also served as a platform for Ajagba to highlight the significant transformation occurring in Abia State under Governor Otti's leadership. He presented the administration's policies as deliberate efforts to institutionalize good governance, positioning Abia as a model for other states. Evidence of this progress, he noted, includes a noticeable influx of people into the state and a subsequent rise in property values, particularly in Umuahia. Ajagba attributed these positive developments to a combination of diligent human effort and divine support, suggesting that the state is on a trajectory of remarkable development within a short period.

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The media is the platform to hold leadership at all levels accountable—whether in government, business, or communities. People have a tendency to do whatever they like and get away with it. The press has been a pivotal partner in restoring sanity and orderliness in society.