We Have Been Able To Take Orientation On Covid-19 Across Delta, Says Barr. Uzum

As the world battles the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic, the Delta State Orientation Bureau, said it has taken pre-Covid-19 information to the nook and cranny of the state.

"The State Orientation Bureau, has taken pre-Covid-19 information across the state from the hitherland to the Riverine.

We have gone to the markets using the traditional institutions and youth groups".

The Director General (DG), Delta State Orientation Bureau, Barrister Eugene Uzum, made the disclosure when the leadership of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), visited him in Asaba.

He noted that the agency has also taken awareness, sensitization and enlightenment campaigns to the Churches, Mosques and Motor parks.

According to him, "especially in the axis where occurrence of Covid-19 is high", stressing that the agency has to push more harder due to the prevailing period.

Fielding questions from the association on the challenges of the agency, the DG said fake news and rumour from the social media have been the biggest challenges the agency had encountered while carrying out its functions.

He stated that the unregulated social media has caused more damage, "because most people have turned "journalists", from their bedrooms".

He called on OMPAN to take the bull by the horns, pointing out that there should be a former way of ensuring that Deltans gets the right and verified information.

Speaking further, Uzum hinted: "So, the State Orientation Bureau, is going to collaborate with the online media and the International Human Rights Commission in creating a better information and dissemination atmosphere and possibly Delta State Volunteering Outfit to help drive the information pool".

He called on Deltans that Covid-19 is real but is not a death sentence just as he stated that the agency have had a good working relationship with other agents of government.

Hear him: "Our synergy with other departments of government have been very robust. We are really partnering very well with the ministry of Information, special thanks to the honourable Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, he has been very supportive and professional with us. We must commend him".

He also commended the association as it is a veritable tool to enhance information, saying scientific knowledge has narrowed down information to the finger tips of smartphone users.