Aniagwu: ACNPN Is The Only Recognised Umbrella Body For Community Newspaper Publishers In Delta State

Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Information, Delta State (l) & Comr. Jude Obiemenyego, Chairman, Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN).

By Daniel Dafe

The Commissioner for Information, Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has vowed to work with the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, adding that the State Government recognises the body as the only umbrella body for publishers in the state.

Mr. Aniagwu said this today in Asaba during a meeting with publishers of community newspapers in the state to resolve issues that led to some members deciding not to identify with the association anymore.

According to him, aggrieved members ought to resort to the constitution in seeking redress to their grievances rather than attempting to pull down the house just because they were not in power.

He said: “I am not here to score the leaders of the association if they have done well or not since they assumed office. My take is that you all elected Jude Obiemenyengo as your Chairman and anyone aggrieved should be patient to vote him out when his tenure elapses and not try to pull down an association you all contributed in building.

“I met with ACNPN and another different group of publishers separately some days back and decided to call every publisher here today to see if we can have one house.”

He however called on all publishers in the state to unite and become a formidable voice under one platform, ACNPN, adding that the government will only deal with ACNPN henceforth as the only recognised umbrella for community newspaper publishers in the state.

Meanwhile, in a press release, ACNPN commended the commissioner for meddling in the affairs of the association in order to foster peace and promote grassroot journalism in the state.

The press statement signed by Jude Obiemenyego, Chairman and Mercy Akuba, Secretary, read: “The leaders of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria use this medium to commend the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, for meddling in the crisis that hitherto rocked the association in Delta State.

“We are glad that the truth has come to the open, as the Honourable Commissioner has on behalf of the Delta State Government endorsed and recognised the association as the only umbrella body for publishers in the state led by Comrade Jude Obiemenyego.”

Furthermore, the association passed a vote of confidence on the Jude Obiemenyego-led executive, as they promised to support the state government in pushing her ‘Stronger Delta’ agenda.

Continuing, ACNPN said: “We advice all publishers in the state to come under this umbrella body and do the needful according to the constitutional provisions of ACNPN.”