By Williams Odunze

In recognition of his magnanimity towards the media and the society at large,Imo Based Media Practitioners Forum has in its wisest decision  honoured Chief Paul Ochenba with "Friend of The Media" award.

Presenting the award, leader of the forum, also publisher of the Pressman online newspaper Daniel Opara pointed out that the reason for the award was in recognition of the cordial relationship that exist between the awardee and Journalists in the State.

He noted that the award was not given to him just because of his magnanimity towards the media but also his philanthropic gesture to the society at large.

Opara said that despite the fact that the awardee is not a politician he knew the value of the media and what it's capable of doing in social environment.

Receiving the award, Ochenba expressed surprise and joy that the award was given to him  by the watch dog of the society maintaining that the award meant many things to him.

He said that the relationship that exist between him and the media will continue to wast strong maintaining that media is the Life wire of the society.

He used the moment and appealed to Journalists in the State to be more proactive and patriotic in their reportage by ensuring that they promote the positive image of the State.

The recipient of the award observed that the media has the power to make or mar the society hence the need for a journalist to think about the people first while dishing out information.

He said that government may not be perfect in its own part that it is the reason why the media should assist them by eliminating information that could be injurious and promote the positive ones that will attract people to the State.

Giving the vote of thanks, one of the delegations of the forum Maduka Francis also publisher of Oluimo Media online newspaper thanked the recipient for the warm welcome he accorded the forum,that it showed the value of respect and love he has for the media.

He maintained that the media will always upholds the ethics of the profession by constantly engaging the government and the people.

Maduka however, observed that the problem facing the profession was the introduction of the social media which allowed non professionals to infiltrate the media space.

He reiterated that the Journalists in the State are not against the government of the day as they are partners for the betterment of the State but however advised the governor to look inward and monitor the actions of some of his cabinet members.