Lawmaker commends Edo journalists for professionalism, unbiased reportage
By Elvis Omoregie
The Honourable Member Representing Oredo Federal Constituency, at the Federal house of representatives, Engr. Esosa Iyawe, yesterday, commended members of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, for their display of depth and high level of professionalism.
Hon. Iyawe gave the commendation while interacting with the NUJ, 2024, World Press Freedom Day committee led by Comrade Elvis Omoregie who was on a courtesy visit to his constituency office situated at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Road, in Benin City.
The law maker who was extremely happy with the visit by members of the media stated that he has noticed a sharp rise in professionalism and churning out of unbiased news reportage in the media space in Edo State which has gone a long way to deepen journalism and its role as the watchdog of the society.
He said he will make a physical appearance at the May 3, 2024 event and expressed his desire to network closely with journalists in the state in the area of publicity.
The legislator said despite being a minority voice at the national assembly, having won the election on the platform of the Labour Party, he however assured his supporters that better days were in the offing as plans have been finalized with like minds to liaise and lobby for projects which are of benefit to the masses.
A labourer he asserted deserves his wages. Iyawe said he was pro people. Announcing his membership of the public petition committee, he called on constituents and aggrieved people to channel complaints of national interest through his constituency office for onward review at the national assembly.
Such complaints could revolve around the abuse of power by heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at federal or state level or other issues of interest. Civil society organizations, he pointed out, could also draft letters to his office on behalf of aggrieved persons.
Speaking on his pedigree and the tilt of his policy impact on constituents, the law maker said he engaged in the installation of solar street lights at New Benin Market, in keeping with a campaign promise to rid the area of theft by hoodlums.
People, he said, told him during the inspection of said project, that a tricycle (Keke) park now operates there at night based on the presence of light. Women, he pointed out, are engaging more in trading due to the presence of light which has largely helped to reduce incidents of theft.
For 2024, he pledged to do more empowerment, install more street lights, engage in road maintenance in some areas of Oredo as well as do some charitable deeds.
In retrospect, he said in December 2023, he empowered youths through sports. Finalists from the eleven participating teams won cash prizes. The winning team at the round leather game went home with one million naira, second position got five hundred thousand naira while third place winners got three hundred thousand naira.
Four footballers who showed flair and dexterity for the game are to be sent to a football academy in Lagos to hone their skill.
He said he had also enrolled fifty senior secondary school students in February, 2024, for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) organized examination.
Earlier, Comrade Elvis Omoregie while presenting the invitation letter to his host, Hon. Iyawe, stated that he was invited to grace the occasion based on the impact he has made on society. He pointed to the number of people oriented motions Iyawe has raised within a short time at being at the national assembly.
He called on the legislator to continue his good works for people taking cognisance of his empowerment programmes for the masses.
When called upon, he said members of the media would work closely with him to enlighten and update society of his political activities.
