By Rhoda Godwin
The leadership of the Bayelsa State Educational Trust Fund (EDTF) has called for stronger collaboration with the media to enhance public education and awareness on the mandate and activities of the Board.
The Chairman of EDTF, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki, made the appeal during a familiarization visit to the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, alongside the Executive Secretary, Prof. Ebimieowei Etebu, and other members of the newly inaugurated Board.
Agbiki, who also chairs the Board’s Publicity and Sensitization Committee, explained that following their inauguration in October last year, it became necessary to formally introduce the new Board to journalists and seek their continued cooperation as critical stakeholders in public information dissemination.
He noted that the current Board is the third since the establishment of the EDTF and expressed appreciation to the media for their sustained support over the years. According to him, a cordial relationship with the press strengthens community engagement and transparency.
“We are here to introduce the new Board and to thank the media for your support, while soliciting continued partnership, understanding and cooperation. The relationship we have built over time should be sustained. When you are a friend of the press, you are a friend of the community,” Agbiki said.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of EDTF, Prof. Ebimieowei Etebu, urged the media to project the activities of the Board in a manner that promotes unity, development and growth in the state.
Etebu said his acceptance of the appointment was driven by a long-standing passion for youth development and educational advancement, stressing that a well-educated youth population guarantees a brighter future for society.
“We are new on this Board but not new to the education subsector. I have always believed that once you have a vibrant and educated youth, the society has a future. When that segment is neglected, it becomes a time bomb. That has been my driving force,” he stated.
He appealed to journalists, as key voices in society, to help communicate the Board’s initiatives responsibly to foster positive development.
Responding, the Chairman of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ Bayelsa State Council, Mr. Tife Owolabi, commended the EDTF leadership for the visit and for recognising the importance of the media. He encouraged the Board to maintain open channels of communication with journalists to enable proper verification and fact-checking in the interest of ac
curate reporting.
