BENIN CITY – Two time Governor of the defunct Midwest/Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia has commended the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Eric Oshiomhole for his political maturity and tolerance.The former Governor who was speaking at the annual Samuel Ogbemudia Forum of The OBSERVER Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held recently said hitherto, the political parties in power in the state were too extreme in relating with other political parties and scored Comrade Oshiomhole high.
“I am happy that I, from another political party, the PDP, is being honoured by the Nigerian OBSERVER today that is being governed by a different political party in power, the APC. It shows that the Governor is tolerant of other parties”, the Octogeneran said.
“You should help me convey my gratitude to him because this is rare”, Dr. Osaigbovo Ogbemudia urged the Observer.
While going down memory lane how he established The Nigerian OBSERVER in 1968, the former governor said the company was established with £100,000, primarily targeted to compete favourably with the Daily Times and noted with joy that The OBSERVER eventually circulated more copies than the Daily Times using an aircraft across the nook and cranny of the country.
Dr. Ogbemudia who also served the country as Minister of Labour and Productivity expressed gratitude to the Nigerian OBSERVER chapel of the NUJ for Immortalizing him, while alife, 46 years after he established the company.
He appealed to the State Government and other stakeholders to do everything to improve the fortunes of The OBSERVER.
The Elderstateman then announced the institutionalization of an award for the best Journalist of The OBSERVER in the area of development journalism, an award that will be backed by cash and a plaque every Samuel Ogbemudia Forum.
