From Peter Okore, Umuahia
The Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, has called on journalists and media practitioners to intensify their role in holding leadership at all levels accountable, while maintaining objectivity in their reportage.
Ajagba described the media as a critical partner in restoring order and promoting transparency in society, noting that journalism remains essential to good governance and societal development.
He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, during an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, in Umuahia.
According to him, the oversight function of the press helps government to improve performance through constructive criticism and diverse perspectives.
“With your oversight function and the way you look at issues from different angles, it can really help us as a government to do better,” he said.
Ajagba urged journalists in the state to remain objective in the discharge of their professional duties, stressing that the Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti would not suppress the truth.
“We are not telling you to suppress the truth. If you see what is not going well in this administration, don’t keep quiet. The Governor will never tell you to do that. Doing so means gagging the press, and society will not be better for it,” he stated.
He reaffirmed that press freedom remains sacrosanct under the present administration, adding that the government recognises the media’s role in sustaining accountability and transparency.
Ajagba also said ongoing reforms and policies in the state were already positioning Abia as a model for other states.
“What is happening today in Abia State has become a model for other states,” he said, expressing optimism that development would accelerate in the coming months.
He noted an increase in population inflow into the state, which he said reflects growing confidence in the administration.
“You would have also noticed that there’s an upsurge in the number of people coming into Abia State now. This is why there is an increase in house rent, which is a reflection of the ongoing development,” he added.
The Chief of Staff also highlighted visible changes in Umuahia, saying property values have risen compared to previous years.
“Before now, Umuahia was undeveloped. But suddenly, the value of properties has gone up. That tells you that good things are happening in Abia,” he said.
Ajagba attributed the ongoing transformation to what he described as a combination of leadership commitment and divine support.
“Nobody can do this kind of thing except God empowers him. It is a combination of man’s ingenuity and God’s faithfulness,” he said.
He further stated that the administration is prioritising workers’ welfare and institutional reforms, including improvements in civil service conditions and support for vulnerable groups.
Governor Otti, he noted, has declared a “state of emergency” in critical sectors, particularly in the welfare of civil servants and broader workforce reforms.
Ajagba commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for its role in promoting balanced reportage and urged journalists to continue highlighting government efforts aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.
In his response, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Steve Oko, reaffirmed the commitment of journalists in Abia to their constitutional responsibility of holding government accountable.
Oko acknowledged the developmental strides of the Otti administration and urged the government to sustain its reforms, assuring that the media would continue to report initiatives that positively impact the lives of residents.