Okorodudu Lauds NUJ As DBS Warri Chapel Seeks Support For Peace Walk

By Evelyn Obibi- Assay, Igho Ejememo

The Executive Director of Projects, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu has commended the critical role members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists play in sustaining democracy and promoting good governance.

He made the commendation on Tuesday July 21, 2026 when members of the NUJ, DBS Warri Chapel, paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s Headquarters.

Describing the visit as a rare privilege, Dr. Okorodudu said it was uncommon for a reputable institution like the NUJ to identify and appreciate public officers for performance.

Drawing from his background as a Political Scientist, he traced the evolution of democracy to ancient Athens, emphasizing that the transition from direct to representative democracy made the media indispensable. He described the press as the institution constitutionally and morally bound to disseminate information, ensure government accountability, and provide feedback between the governed and those in authority.

“The media is the only institution that is naturally endowed to carry out that responsibility. The NUJ, as far as I know in Delta State, and the entire country, has performed creditably well in the traditional calling of disseminating information and also bringing the activities of government to the people,” he said.

Dr. Okorodudu stressed that representation must reflect the character and morality of the people, adding that no reasonable person would take NUJ for granted, for any reason.

ALSO READ: 2027: Ogboru’s Appointed Time To End Serial Contests, Break Circle Of Governance, Transform Delta — ADC Spokesman

Speaking further, Dr. Okorodudu said the visit has challenged him to do more in the performance of his duties as a public servant whose calling is to do good for the benefit of the absolute majority of people.

While responding to the chapel’s request for him to deliver a peace talk during their upcoming event scheduled for September 21, he confirmed his willingness to attend despite other engagement and further advised the organizers of the planned Peace Walk to consider the health challenges of participants to avoid casualties.

Responding to the chapel’s request for the Commission to sponsor 1,000 T-shirts for the event, Dr. Okorodudu directed them to write officially to the Managing Director/CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor and copy his office for follow-up though according to him, that won’t stop him from doing the little he can to support them.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Chapel, Comr. John Glover had said the visit was to identify with a performing public officer and to formally invite him for the chapel’s annual International Day of Peace programme.

Comr. Glover described Dr. Okorodudu as an elder brother whose performance in DESOPADEC has not fallen short of people’s expectations.

“We see you as our elder brother. As the watchdog of society, we are seeing what you are doing here as the Director of Projects. We feel that the government has gotten it right to have appointed you as EDP. And so far, we must say that we have not been disappointed at all. You have performed even beyond our expectation,” he said.

He noted that NUJ is not a body that consumes money, but one that commends good performance and calls erring agencies to order, citing a recent instance where the chapel’s intervention got a contractor back to site.

Speaking on the chapel, Comr. Glover said the DBS Warri Chapel is the oldest chapel in Delta State and the only corresponding chapel in charge of broadcast in DBS.

He disclosed that every September 21, the chapel mobilizes over 1,000 youths for a Peace Walk across major streets of Warri to sensitize residents on peaceful coexistence, especially following past crises in the area. The walk, he said, will culminate in a peace talk.

“For this year’s event, we have prayerfully and specially selected you as the person that will deliver the peace lecture on that day. The caliber of person that delivers the lecture matters a lot,” he stated.

Comr. Glover had also appealed for support for 1,000 branded T-shirts for participants, noting that sponsors’ logos are usually displayed on them.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Peace Walk Committee, Mr. Awoso Harry said the event is not all about preaching peace as it’s another form of exercise to help keep people fit.

Present during the visit were the Head of the Department of Works, Engr. Friday Money; Head of the Department of Project Monitoring And Evaluation, Engr. Elliot Olokor; Head of the Department of Utility, Comr. Tom Oduizo; Special Assistant to the EDP, Engr. Chief Mathew Onokpasa; Technical Adviser to the EDP, Engr. Collins Okorodudu; Comr. Okoro Emmanuel; Oyibo Ogheneruona, Secretary, DBS NUJ, Warri Chapel; Comr. Johnson Obasedje; Albert Asheshe; Omonigho Edaah; Sonia Unobunjo; Otis Esima- Aniretan and Kingsley Agho.