Aruoriwo Ivovi
The State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Reginald Bayoko has assured the new leadership of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in the State of his total support as part of his commitment to encourage the female pen pushers to succeed.
Mr. Bayoko gave the assurance when the new elected Chairperson of the Association of the female wing of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Sonia Unobunjo led other executive members of the association on a courtesy visit on the HoS recently in Asaba.
While expressing delight on the visit which he said had provided a platform to freely interact with members of the association, the head of service disclosed that his office would continue to lend his support to the association even as he congratulated the chairperson and her executive members for emerging victorious in their election.
On the need to forge ahead after the elections that produced the comrade Sonia Unobunjo led executive, the HoS counselled the new executive to pursue issues that would make the association to experience progress and unite members just as he promised to partner with them.
“I just want to say that wherever you find yourself it is the Lord’s doing and that is what you should recognize. In every situation, sometimes there are conflicts because we all come from different backgrounds but what is important is that we resolve matters and make peace.” The HoS said.
Earlier, the chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Delta State chapter, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo, in her speech, commended the head of service for the various fresh ideas he had injected into the state civil service and for his cordial working relationship with staff and the press.
Comrade Sonia particularly expressed gladness on the HoS cordial working relationship with his Public Relations Officer, whom she said was a journalist and urged the head of service to sustain the tempo.
The NAWOJ Chairperson while extolling Mr. Bayoko for piloting the affairs of the office of the head of service excellently well, however expressed their preparedness to partner with him and his office.
She said, the association was comprised of over 200 qualified practicing women journalists working or freelancing with various media outfits within and outside the state towards the effective promotion and propagation of the policies and programmes of government and called for his continuous support to enable them continue to effectively play their role.
“We also passionately appeal for your support to facilitate and enhance welfare for members of the association particularly those who are civil servants in the area of car loan, housing loan, renovation loan, and permit for update in members’ direct deduction of dues from pre-payment audit and other largesse from the office of the Head of Service” Comrade Sonia appealed.
She said this would go a long way to boost their capacity, build congruency eith the goals of the office of the head of service and also to effectively report and air the programme and activities of his office which she said was the engine room of government.
