Sylvester Oboh Takes Over As Interim Head Of The Bendel Newspapers Corporation
By Ijeoma Umeh
Mr Sylvester O. Oboh, Senior Staff of the Bendel Newspapers Corporation, Publishers of The Observer Titles, has assumed office as Interim Head of the Corporation.
A letter dated November 18 and signed by Dr Desmond F. Agbama, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Orientation, states that Mr Oboh being the most senior civil servant in the establishment is to take over the leadership of the Nigerian Observer following the dissolution of political appointments in the establishment by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The document further adds that the position will subsist pending the appointment of a substantive General Manager for the Corporation.
Earlier, during a meeting convened by the Permanent Secretary which had in attendance top management staff of the Ministry and staff of the Bendel Newspapers Corporation, members of staff on assignment beats in various MDAs were recalled to the Ministry and informed of the new development, the directive by government for some staff to return to the Corporation, with a further directive to resume administrative and editorial functions with immediate effect in order not to create a vacuum.
“You all are aware that there is no vacuum in governance and public administration, and for that reason, it became necessary for some staff to go back to work in the Nigerian Observer for the collective good of the establishment and progress of governance in terms of information dissemination.
All modalities will be considered and properly articulated towards ensuring that you have all that is necessary for efficient service delivery, including additional hands where there are perceived gaps.” The Permanent Secretary stated.
Highpoint of the event was a guided tour of the Newspaper Corporation led by the Permanent Secretary, top management staff of the Ministry, followed by the newly appointed Interim Head and staff of the establishment.
In his speech, Mr Sylvester Oboh assured of his readiness to serve and sued for the cooperation of all.
Before now Mr Sylvester Oboh held the position of Director of Media, Edo State Development and Property Corporation (ESDPC). He holds a first Degree in International Studies and Diplomacy and a Masters in Public Administration.
It would be recalled that the immediate past administration in the state redistributed staff of the Bendel Newspapers Corporation to various MDAs in the state in what it called “government restructuring” of the establishment.