From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri 

imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has described The Sun, as success story, saying that the media giant has effectively given voice to Nigerians.

Stressing the importance of the media, he also said the nation’s democracy could not grow without the input of journalists whose tremendous work has helped in its sustenance.

Speaking in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Tuesday, when a team led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Eric Osagie, paid him a courtesy call, the governor said  The Sun had made the difference through quality production, balanced stories as well as serving as mouthpiece of Nigerians.

He described the newspaper, as “the police of the nation and a great information resource, whose contributions have helped in nation-building.”

His words: “I enjoin you people to do more. The Sun newspaper is a product of good teamwork. The media practitioners are the voice of the nation, the alarm raisers. So, how the media people do their job determine, to a great extent, the direction the government will follow.”

Extending his hand of fellowship to The Sun, Governor Okorocha promised reciprocal relations, saying: “We shall continue to partner with the establishment. We look forward to continuous cooperation with the media, especially now that the nation is passing through the process of positive change, which obviously is coming with a price.”

The Imo State governor, who thanked The Sun team for the coverage given to his government over the years, disclosed that his administration had already fulfilled about 90 per cent of its campaign promises, as shown with the projects executed across the 27 local government areas of the state.

“We have delivered 90 per cent of our campaign promises. In health sector, for instance, we are building 27 new General Hospitals. We have free education at all levels. We embarked on urban renewal and we are trying to address the problem of power, which would help in the industrialisation of the state,” he said.

Among those who were with Governor Okorocha to receive The Sun team were Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Uche Nwosu; Deputy Chief of Staff, Engr. Kingsley Uju; Commissioner for Commerce, Chief Chidi Ibeh and Commissioner for Information, Engr. Obinna Nshirim.

Earlier in his speech, Osagie said The Sun was visiting Governor Okorocha to express its gratitude for his support and patronage over the years.

According to him, “we are essentially here to express our gratitude for the support you have given to us by way of advert patronage. Permit us to play the Oliver Twist, by asking for more and asking you to continue to partner with us.”

He said The Sun would continue to support the good cause of the state government, in its effort to transform the state, saying: “We are partners in progress and we are extending our hands of friendship so that we can build a synergy, bearing in mind that democracy anywhere in world is media-driven. It is the media that brings to limelight what you, as governor, has been doing towards the development of the nation. We are there to praise you when you do well and criticise you when we believe you are not doing what you should for the electorate. We are voice of the nation. We reflect all shades of opinion.”

With Osagie on The Sun team were, Editor, Daily Sun, Onuoha Ukeh; GM Operations, Damola Lajumoke; Editor, Saturday Sun, Femi Babafemi, Editor, Sunday Sun, Abdulfatah Oladeinde; and Assistant Editor/South-East Bureau Chief, Chidi Nnadi.