He remarked that in order to further progress, journalists should investigate areas of development and governance that have the potential to unite people.

Speaking in Owerri and announcing the opening of a two-day capacity workshop for zone editors, the governor stressed what he called developmental journalism as a means of advancing topics that the public finds important.

It’s well known that our historically and economically wealthy eastern area has several developmental obstacles,” he remarked.

“There is still a long way to go, from economic inequality to inadequate infrastructure. You have the special capacity to draw attention to these problems, spark public debate, and motivate action as media professionals.

The conference’s topic, “The Media as Partners in Regional Development,” aligned with his administration’s aspirations to revitalise the former eastern region’s economy, according to Uzodimma.

Because economic reintegration would be essential to our region’s existence in Nigeria’s post-oil future, we want to reinvigorate the old eastern region’s economy in accordance with the vision and purpose of the late premier, Dr. Michael Okpara,” he stated.

He revealed that in order to re-establish the coastal trade routes between the states of Imo, Bayelsa, and Rivers, his administration had already begun the dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean.

As other geographical zones in Nigeria were doing, Uzodimma tasked the journalists with fostering a strong relationship with the former eastern area in order to restore the political and economic ties of the past.

“Instead of celebrating destructive and divisive tendencies in the polity, they could act as partners in regional development by promoting ideas, thoughts, and actions geared towards development,” the governor said.

In order to investigate the viability of resurrecting such admirable enterprises throughout the states, he encouraged them to focus on topics like the industrial and agricultural revolution of the former area.

The governor urged the editors to “take the initiative to promote responsible journalism that serves the public interest, while safeguarding national security and social cohesion,” in response to the present detrimental consequences of social media.

“I think established media organisations have a crucial role to play in upholding journalistic standards and ethics, even though I acknowledge the complexity of the digital age, where practically anyone with access to a phone or a computer can become a content creator or editor.”

He has, however, promoted several journalists to important positions in his government, including the current head of service of Imo State, and he promised to keep working with journalists to improve the practice of their profession.

“Journalists should be proactive by highlighting where the people had peculiar needs,” stated Mr. Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, earlier in his welcoming speech.

“Journalists should play their own part by highlighting the special needs of the people, such as unique health challenges,” he said, adding that this would force international agencies to intervene, even though the subnational governments of the region must be held accountable for the development of their states.