Bayelsa journalist urges elected LG chairmen to appoint professionals as press secretaries

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

As the recently elected chairmen of the eight local government areas in Bayelsa State assume office, a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Radio Bayelsa Chapel, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha has urged them to appoint professionals as press secretaries or media aides.

Yemoleigha, who had served as Media Aide in the past, said appointing persons with competencies in media relations and political image management gives immeasurable value to Principals of Councils,

According to him, Journalists and Public Relations experts are better equipped in training and experience to undertake such communicative tasks for public office holders.

The former Radio Bayelsa NUJ Chapel Chairman and member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations insisted in a Press Release that public officeholders should not see the appointment of press secretaries or media aides as a sort of “empowerment for the boys”, adding that media relations and political brand management are serious business and only those with requisite skills should be engaged for optimal results.