April 7, 2023

The Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has described Mr. Ken Ugbechie as an export to the media industry in Nigeria.

Okowa further lauded Mr.Ugbechie for his great courage as a journalist.

The governor said this at the Political Economist Merit Awards and Public Presentation of the book, Nigeria Heroes and Sheroes: Diary of a journalist of courage on Thursday in Lagos.

Okowa who was the Chairman of the occasion, was represented by his Chief of Staff. Hon. Festus Agas.

Pledging his support to the author, he said, “I’m proud of you and we’ll support your great work which comes highly recommended as it chronicles Nigeria’s development across a number of areas/sectors.

Gov. Hope Uzodimma while presenting the book also declared his support for the author whom he commended for his work at showcasing that Nigeria is not only doom and gloom, but that Nigeria has in fact seen some level of development.

“It takes a lot of courage to talk of the positive things in the country, doing this helps the image and development of the country,”he said.

Uzodinma who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba however recommended the book for those who love the country.

For the Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Special Guest of Honour, he said the book is a brilliant piece of work.

Represented by the Director Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, he added that the work is a milestone in the life of Mr. Ugbechie, while also praising him for his courage.

Earlier, Mr. Ugbechie who is also the publisher, Political Economist NG noted that the double barrel occasion seeks to development in Nigeria.

According to him,the choice of the title of the book was clearly deliberate.

Ugbechie said he believes that Nigeria has achieved some development and, “we still have an oasis of hope in a minefield of despair”.

“We have some exemplars of hope who have been captured in my book. This is what we promote at Political Economist and personally through my writings: celebrate those who dare, applaud those who overcome, censure those who fall off the cliff of decency and nobility just so they will learn, unlearn and moult themselves of their garment of villainy,” he said.

The high-point of the event was the presentation of Political Economist Merit Awards to:

Maj-Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Rtd), Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme as Icon of Integrity (Public Service); Brig-Gen Buba Marwa(Rtd), Chairman, NDLEA Overall Best Public Servant; Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC, NCC, Africa Best Telecom Regulator; Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa Best Digital Innovator; H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, Champion of Public Infrastructure; Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Gov. Delta State, Best Infrastructure Governor; Engr. Dave Umahi,Gov. Ebonyi State, Best Gov. in Education; and Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Gov. Imo state, Best Promoter of Local Content.