By Giovanni Emephia
AS part of efforts to build a constructive working synergy with staff in the Ministry of Information, the Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu has charged the leadership of the State Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to continue to constructively engage the management of the Ministry as well as prevail on its members to take their jobs seriously and add value to whatever assigned responsibilities they have been entrusted with.
Mr. Aniagwu made the remarks when the newly-elected executive committee members of the union, led by the Chairman, Mr. Enite Igere paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba.
While congratulating the leadership of the union on their victory at the recently-conducted elections, Mr. Aniagwu urged them to continue to promote industrial harmony, accountability, and put in place initiatives that would surpass that of their predecessors and thus leave remarkable footprints on the sands of time.
Responding to some of the issues raised by the union, Mr. Aniagwu promised to consider planning send-forth retirement events for different categories of staff in batches, to promote a sense of belonging as well ensure that everyone was carried along.
Speaking with respect to training of staff, Aniagwu expressed his willingness to sponsor staff for training but noted that he would be biased in favour of staff members who have been committed to their jobs and who have demonstrated a willingness to deliver on the responsibilities given to them.
While noting that the Ministry’s funds were limited, Commissioner Aniagwu stated that paying professional dues for staff members of the union would encourage laxity, stressing that commitment to one’s professional body is the sacrifice of paying one’s dues.
“Dues payment should be a basis of assessing those who can be leaders in the union. If we begin to pay dues for everybody, it would look as if everybody is responsible.” Mr. Aniagwu spoke against the idea of mass payment of dues for members at the approach of every election cycle, describing it as a misnomer that the union should discourage.
The commissioner further directed the Functioning Permanent Secretary, Mrs Stella Macaulay to draw up training proposals based on approvals in the 2026 budgetary provisions.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the state Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Enite Igere explained that the visit was aimed at commending the commissioner for his encouragement, guidance and strategic leadership which, he said, had inspired confidence amongst staff of the ministry.
Mr. Igere enumerated issues like equipping the ministry’s newsroom for optimal performance, providing training opportunities for staff, providing incentives such as long-service awards to motivate staff, provision of modern tools of information management and dissemination as well as yearly events to recognise dedicated staff who have served meritoriously.
The chapel chairman emphasised that these suggestions would boost staff productivity, professionalism and institutional efficiency within the ministry.
