Don’t Heat Up Polity, Diri Charges Media Aides, Appreciates Them For Promoting Govt Policies

Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has cautioned his new media aides against actions capable of overheating the polity as political activities gather momentum.

The governor gave the directive during a one-day review meeting and media training for government new media aides held at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Diri commended the aides for their role in promoting government policies and programmes over the years. He, however, stressed the need for professionalism, decorum, and adherence to established guidelines in their engagements.

He expressed concern over increasing instances of hostile exchanges and political friction among government media aides on social media platforms, particularly in relation to emerging political interests, urging them to maintain civility and responsibility.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, advised the aides to always seek proper authorization before making public posts to avoid disciplinary actions.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the training, the media aides passed a vote of confidence on Governor Douye Diri, citing his developmental achievements, as well as on the Director-General of the New Media team, Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, for his leadership.

The training, themed “Public Governance, Political Engagements, and the Media: The Nexus,” featured presentations by resource persons, Mr. Klem Ofuokwu and Dr. Richard Ogbe. They delivered lectures on “Managing Government Media and Information in a Political Era” and “Political Content: Media Laws, Ethics, and Professionalism.”