The permanent secretary, Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Mr Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, paramount ruler of Agbura community in Yenagoa council area of Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness, Dr. E.N. Daufa and the member representing Ogbia constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Mitema Obordor, and others at the weekend received various categories of awards in the state capital, Yenagoa.
The ceremony, which held at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, NUJ Secretariat, Yenagoa was organised by the Bayelsa State Media Network to honour Bayelsans and non-Bayelsans who distinguished themselves in their chosen career as well as touched lives and the society.
Our correspondent reports that the event was the second edition of the awards which began a year ago.
Our sources has it that while the Agbura monarch, HRH E.N Daufa was given the award of the most media friendly monarch in the state, the state Assembly member, Hon. Obordor, was given the award of the legislator of the year, just as Ewhrudjakpo was considered the most media friendly permanent secretary of the year.
Speaking to newsmen after the event, the lawmaker said he was dedicating his award to his constituents and lovers of his performance since his election into the Assembly.
Also, the Agbura monarch said he was dedicating his award to the people of his community, mentioning that his achievements as a monarch over the years in the community were glaring.
According to Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, he was surprised to have been considered for the worthy and unsolicited award from the fourth estate of the realm, adding that the award will spur him to contribute to the betterment of society.
Giving reasons for the awards, chairman of the organising committee and publisher of the Niger Delta Society Magazine, Mr Victor Christopher, said recipients were selected after a competitive nomination and screening process.
He noted that the awardees were persons of impeccable character, adding that the hallmarks of the awards were based on merit and not mediocrity.
He said Christopher Ewhrudjakpo was unanimously chosen due to his warmth reception, acceptance and response to journalists each time he was called upon, unlike most permanent secretaries and political appointees who feigned excuses of too busy to welcome journalists to their offices.
“His doors are always open to journalists all the time and not restricted to visitors’ days. Others should emulate him.”
Other recipients of the Bayelsa Media Network Awards were, the general manager of Peoples’ FM, a Yenagoa based radio station, Mr Lawson Hayford, the duo of the Oba of Yoruba ethnic nationality in the state and his Eze Igbo counterpart and the publisher of National Investigator, Hon Ayibatairi Easterday, amongst others.
Our correspondent reports that chairman, Sagbama council area of the state, Hon. Alale Prosper Embleakpo, was also awarded as the local government chairman of the year, as he called on the organizers to maintain the tempo of the yearly event.