Almost every single thing under Governor Ugwuanyi’s watch has come under intense scrutiny and for the right reasons too. His infusion of humility, right work ethic and attitude has rubbed off positively on all existing government establishments in addition to the new ones that sprung up during his 6 years eventful leadership of the state. The Anambra State Television (ETV) channel 50 it would be recalled was established by the administration of Gov.Ifeanyichukwu Jim Nwobodo in the old Anambra state and later renamed Enugu State Television when the later was carved out as a full state in August 1991. The flagship media house consequently emerged as a veritable platform to disseminate policies and programs of the state government. As was to be expected, it enjoyed adequate government patronage and heavy private patronage as well.
However, with the issues of corruption in high places and the successive management of the media house playing to the gallery, with the tacit support of successive governments in Enugu, the fortunes of the once flourishing media house plummeted. Well, the fortunes of ETV remained largely comatose until governor Ugwuanyi stepped in and revitalized it to its present success story. Well, it was reported that ETV has emerged the best television station in the whole of the South East of Nigeria courtesy Ugwuanyi’s magic touch.
When Gov Ugwuanyi came into office, he embarked on reorganizing media houses in Enugu State. Staff and management of government owned media houses were overhauled and best hands brought in. Their pay package was also enhanced. Their operating equipments were beefed up and the welfare of staff was taken very seriously. This actually spurred them to action and the fruit is the positive results we are seeing today and will continue to see.
Before Ugwuanyi came into office, ETV signals had limited coverage, servicing only limited locations within Enugu metropolis. Even at that, their program content was of very poor quality and boring. One cannot truly ‘glue’ to ETV or ESBS as done to other stations. This is because of the quality of their service. There was a time, the management of ESBS Enugu went to Radio Nigeria Enugu for training assistance. The same thing happened to ETV and NTA Enugu. This is a case of a teacher going to his student to learn.
Today, the narrative have changed. ETV and ESBS have come back to their rightful position. In the recent Nigeria Media Merit Award, ETV came first as the best television station in the South East. There are over 10 government owned television stations and more than 10 privately owned television station in South East. ETV came first even beating the almighty private stations. This is because the quality of their programs have greatly improved and their coverage have increased tremendously too.
Since Chukwuma Ogbonna assumed office as the MD of ESBS, things has greatly changed. He has been able to leverage on the condusive and friendly atmosphere provided by Gov Ugwuanyi to move the stations to enviable heights.
Even Daily Star publishing company was not left out. Today daily star publishes regularly and not monthly as it used to be and it’s coverage area have increased too.
It is important to underscore the importance of the media as a veritable tool to reach the citizens out there with government policies and programs with other objectives of the media as well. Today, Enugu government owned media outlets are not only living up to their billing, but doing so in style, courtesy of Ugwuanyi’s uncommon support to enhance their operations. A sitting governor had once asked his Chief press secretary the reasons for the continued existence of the media houses instead of being closed down for lack of performance. Today, a Daniel has come to judgment and the fortunes of the media houses owned by the government have greatly improved.
The management of ESBS while presenting the award to the commissioner for information (Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh) promised not only to sustain the tempo in their winning streaks but to get the award at national level.
This is what Ugwuanyi’s midas touch has brought and we are sure many more will come. That is why we are proud to say that Enugu State is in the hand of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added – “The greatness of a leader is measured by the achievements of the led. This is the ultimate test of his effectiveness” .
Written by
Leonard Ugwu
A Political Analyst
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER OF ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
