BY PATRICK MGBODO
AFTER its first three decades of existence, the Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation (DPPC), publishers of The Pointer titles, had begun to show visible signs of exhaustion. Though its fame as a titan of public sector journalism endured, it was increasingly threatened by the complexities of an ever-evolving media landscape.
Compounding its woes was the steady departure of foundation staff and brilliant minds who had nurtured its essence from cradle days at the Nigerian Observer in Benin, following the disintegration of Bendel State. As if that were not enough, a cloud of resentment and animosity brewed within an already crestfallen workforce, further imperilling the stability and sustainability of the organisation.
Buffeted on all sides, The Pointer surged through nights and turbulent waters. Its survival hinged on the decisive, timely intervention of its captains if the ship was to find safe anchorage. It became increasingly evident that for the lethargy of the past to wither, new sentiments had to be born. And like the phoenix, she rose from the ashes of her former self, and roses bloomed in the orchard.
Thus, on February 17, 2025, precisely one year ago, the Delta State Government, through its Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, announced the appointment of Mrs Rosemary Nwaebuni as the first-ever female General Manager of The Pointer.
According to the statement, ‘’It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Delta State Government has approved the appointment of Mrs Rosemary Eziafa Nwaebuni, Deputy General Manager (Editorial), as the substantive General Manager of the Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation with effect from February 17, 2025.’’
From that moment onward, The Pointer, a staple on newsstands across the state and beyond, gradually eased into a new dawn, one defined by targeted innovations, a rejuvenated and cohesive workforce, and an impressive demonstration of leadership by both the Board and Management of the Corporation over the past 12 months.
Consolidating on the gains of her predecessors, Mrs Nwaebuni, a thoroughbred professional with national and international exposure, further enriched the Corporation’s flagship titles: Daily, Sunday, and Weekend, while simultaneously strengthening its growing online presence.
Upon mounting the saddle, Mrs Nwaebuni discerned looming challenges and confronted them head-on. Before her emergence, The Pointer, once a centre of media excellence, had begun to lose its lustre, especially among the younger generation, the very future of the state’s flagship newspaper. It stood precariously on the margins while retirement steadily thinned the ranks of its most experienced hands. If nothing had been done, and swiftly too, the vineyard would have been left bereft of its most energetic workhands.
Anchored firmly on the Corporation’s core values, particularly Learning, Mrs Nwaebuni, with the full backing of the Board, strategically elevated younger professionals into critical roles to groom them for the responsibilities of the years ahead. Thus, following her appointment in 2025, The Pointer embraced a more pragmatic growth trajectory, carefully balancing its civil-service heritage with a forward-looking mindset popular in the private sector.
Buoyed by this recalibration, middle-level personnel, especially within the editorial department, assumed expanded responsibilities as line editors, deputy editors, and even a functioning Editor overseeing the Sunday edition. Their development is nourished by robust mentorship from committed managers who choose to guide rather than inflame, to praise before they caution, and to correct without resorting to endless queries at the slightest stumble. Indeed, this convivial atmosphere fostered improved productivity and elevated the overall quality of the paper.
One of such officers, Jumai Nwachukwu, Deputy Editor (Sunday), expressed appreciation to Mrs Nwaebuni for the trust reposed in the younger generation. “That confidence has greatly impacted my reporting, my commitment, and my overall job performance. It has encouraged and exposed me to continuous learning. If, for any reason, my editor is unavailable, I can confidently step into his shoes and produce the paper,” she said.
Similarly, the Deputy Sports Editor, Ifeanyi Uwagwu, noted that the appointments reflected the General Manager’s keen eye for talent. “So far, the elevation has improved my capacity and prepared me to handle whatever task comes my way. It has fast-tracked my learning process and strengthened my confidence as a team player. This is markedly different from what was obtained in the past, where competence was sometimes overlooked,” he said.
Corroborating his colleagues, Epipade Nieketien, who recently served as Acting Features Editor, shared a similar sentiment. “The responsibility entrusted to me by the General Manager made me more alive to my duties and significantly improved my performance. During that period, I became more responsible and learned a great deal. It expanded my horizon. Having confidence in us demonstrates that the General Manager truly believes in teamwork,” he said.
Another defining milestone of the Nwaebuni era over the past 12 months has been the cordial relationship between labour and management. Previously, the atmosphere was often tense, with union leaders frequently leaving negotiation tables with stern expressions and threats to down tools in pursuit of their demands.
That phase now appears to have been firmly relegated to the past, owing to improved workers’ welfare and a more consultative leadership style. Having served in various capacities, including Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Pointer Chapel, and Chairman of the Staff Welfare Association (SWA), Mrs Nwaebuni possesses an intimate understanding of both the individual and collective needs of staff, as well as the mechanisms required to address them promptly and effectively.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Pointer Chapel, Godwin Nzemeka, who also doubles as Group News Editor, described the General Manager’s leadership as transformative. “Her tenure has ushered in a new vista of peace, unity, and love within the Corporation. Staff now have cause to come together and rejoice. Her style of administration has brought everyone together, and even her critics have little or nothing to hold against her,” he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW), Mr Okonkwo Nduka, who also serves as Head of Unit (Strategies), affirmed that Mrs Nwaebuni has changed the narrative. “For the first time, labour did not have to initiate negotiations. On her own, the General Manager addressed our concerns, and everyone is satisfied, as seen during the yuletide. We have no reason to protest, and I must commend her for that,” he said.
Appraising the General Manager’s performance over the past year, the Director (Editorial), Mrs Chibuzor Isichei, expressed gratitude to God and admiration for the strides recorded. “Mrs Nwaebuni is the first woman to occupy that office, and many things have changed for the better. Initially, some doubted her capacity, but to my pleasant surprise, she transformed this place within one year. Imagine what the future holds.
“I have closely observed her over time. She is a goal-getter. Therefore, I am not surprised by what we are witnessing today. She has put systems in order because she is intentional and focused,” Isichei said, even as she commended Nwaebuni’s proactive grooming and mentoring of the next generation.
“In a newspaper house, performance is measured by output and delivery. It is slightly different from the conventional civil service. What counts here is commitment and contribution, not age or grade level. You cannot entrust critical portfolios to those who lack competence. The work must go on. What matters is that the paper hits the stands,” she added.
Also speaking, the Acting Editor-in-Chief and Special Projects Manager, Mrs Edna Emeni, described Nwaebuni’s appointment as a fitting reward for years of dedication to The Pointer. “I have always said that this appointment is divine compensation for her longstanding dedication and hard work. Between 2005 and 2009, she used her personal resources to purchase data. She was among the first set of staff to own a personal computer and would deploy her own resources to generate content for the paper.
“As a married woman with children, she consistently worked from morning till late into the night, throughout the week and even on weekends. Since her appointment, we have witnessed remarkable innovations. Developments are unfolding in ways we never imagined.
“She has intensified efforts to attract advertisements by consolidating existing partnerships and building new ones. She has also fostered unity among staff through monthly birthday celebrations and the annual Thanksgiving and carol service she initiated in December. Indeed, when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, and that has been our story so far,” she said.
Furthermore, Mrs Nwaebuni’s capacity was confirmed and applauded by the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) for breaking the jinx of remitting in excess of N10 million of its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) into the State Government’s coffers.
The applause came at the Budget Defence by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) when it was reported that the media outfit credited the State government coffers with N10 Million.
Apparently pleased with the development, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and leader of the State Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, gave a clap ovation for the State-owned media outfit. Joined by other members of the committee, Hon. Nwaobi noted that the development, which he described as novel, was worth celebrating.
He said, “I am happy to hear that, in the 2025 fiscal year, you (The Pointer) have been able to remit into the State Government’s coffers over N10 Million. This is commendable and worthy of emulation by the sister media outfits.
“I would be happier when, in the next year, when we gather to receive your 2027 Budget, all the State-owned media outfits, Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Asaba, and Warri would be singing the same song ”, Nwaobi said.
Before Nwaebuni’s emergence, one of the recurring challenges confronting The Pointer was its deteriorating infrastructure, including a near-moribund fleet of operational vehicles. However, the narrative has since shifted. Under her leadership, all operational vehicles and critical machinery were rehabilitated and subjected to structured maintenance schedules to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
Among other achievements, Mrs Nwaebuni has also strengthened the security architecture of the premises, complementing existing personnel with the installation of surveillance cameras and modern security technology. to protect government property. In addition, staff morale has been bolstered through the prompt payment of allowances and timely approvals of entitlements, measures that have reinforced confidence in management and deepened institutional stability. She has also embarked on the construction of staff and security quarters as part of the much-needed intervention in the Corporation.
Going forward, The Pointer, under the leadership of Mrs Rosemary Nwaebuni, appears better positioned to realise its vision of becoming a commercially viable entity and, ultimately, a market leader in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
Although there are still challenges, the presence of a leader who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way speaks volumes about what lies beyond the horizon. With renewed institutional confidence, strengthened structures, and a motivated workforce, the trajectory now points toward sustained growth, relevance, and enduring impact.
