Hon. Spencer Okpoye, the Commissioner representing Ijaw ethnic nationality on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has re-emphasized the need to support and encourage Ijaw sons and daughters in the media industry, especially in promoting programmes of the ethnic group.

The Commissioner made the remark when he received in his office on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, copies of the recently launched maiden edition of the PENGlobal Watch magazine from the Brand Director of PENGlobal, Mr. Abai Francis, in company of Engr. Kabe Humphrey CIPMN, a project manager in the defunct Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF.

Earlier, the Brand Director of PENGlobal had appealed to the Commissioner to key into the brand's objectives to achieve its purpose of not only creating awareness on business and social brands, but also in educating readers through its well-researched and rich contents via its platforms.

Mr. Abai noted that despite the huge opportunities the Internet and social media offers, many are yet to tap into the educational aspect of it because they refuse to embrace the habit of reading, which he said has contributed to the slow pace of societal development as the mindsets of many are yet to be broadened so as to proffer strategic solutions to challenges bedeviling community growth.

The Brand Director, who is also the Chief Executive of PENGlobal Associates Limited, commended publishers of Ijaw extraction for creating jobs for themselves and for others through their various platforms, and urged the Commissioner on the need to support such ventures, adding that "what we need is a little push through financial and other support".

The Commissioner in his response revealed that in his desire to render support, he had engaged with the Commission's Executive Director of Socials, Chief Favour Izoukumor, so that they can work together to encourage media practitioners of Ijaw extraction for growth.

"I've heard so much about you and we need to support you people, like the group (IPF) that came the other day. I've engaged the ED, Chief Favour, and we promised to work together. We need to encourage you to do more especially in promoting Ijaw programmes," Hon. Okpoye reiterated his commitment.

Recall that The PENGlobal Watch, a quarterly magazine from the stables of the business and social brand promotional agency, PENGlobal, was launched June 14, 2023, and has been receiving positive ratings from the public for its quality, superb presentation and educative contents.

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