Gov Okpebholo laments inability to access state-owned newspaper’s facilities after retrieving it from consultant
There was drama at the premises of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, BNCL, the publisher of The Nigerian Observer, as Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo was unable to access the office for an inspection of facilities—41 days after the state government announced it had fully taken over the establishment from a consultant. DAILY POST reports that
Gov Okpebholo laments inability to access state-owned newspaper’s facilities after retrieving it from consultant
There was drama at the premises of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, BNCL, the publisher of The Nigerian Observer, as Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo was unable to access the office for an inspection of facilities—41 days after the state government announced it had fully taken over the establishment from a consultant.
DAILY POST reports that on 7th February 2025, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Mr Fred Itua, and directors from the Ministry of Information and Communication, among others, had witnessed the formal handover of the facilities to the state government by the consultant, Fountain Brook Publishing Limited.
The Chief Executive Officer of Fountain Brook Publishing Limited, Mr Chike Madueke, handed over the keys to The Nigerian Observer printing press to the Commissioner and other top management staff of the establishment and government officials.
However, DAILY POST reports that when Governor Monday Okpebholo led top government officials on an unscheduled visit to the newspaper’s premises on Tuesday to inspect the facilities, he was unable to gain access.
The governor, in response, threatened to probe the immediate past government of Godwin Obaseki over the alleged expenditure of over $10 million on the facilities.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, said Okpebholo and his entourage were shocked when they realised they could not enter the buildings where all the machines, purportedly bought by the previous administration, were kept.
“I visited the premises of The Nigerian Observer to see for myself the money claimed to have been spent by former Governor Godwin Obaseki on revamping the state-owned media outfit,” Okpebholo said.
“The former governor claimed to have used $10 million to revamp the newspaper house just before the election. But everywhere was locked, and there was nothing inside. I could not even see a cleaner in the premises—those we met there were not even staff of the organisation.”
“I need to visit again and inspect the buildings where the equipment, supposedly bought by the previous administration, is housed. I will check inside the buildings myself to be sure the machines are actually there.”
“I can’t say for sure whether there are machines inside because I couldn’t enter. If the place was operational, people would have been working there, especially considering the resources spent.”
“Edo people need to ask what happened to their money, which was supposedly spent on revamping The Observer newspaper. As their governor, I am here to provide them with the answers. Hence, this visit was necessary,” Okpebholo lamented.
According to Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the Godwin Obaseki-led administration shut down the state-owned newspaper, The Observer, on 30th June 2022, handing over its management to consultants, contractors, and political allies while redeploying the staff to the Ministry of Information and Communication.
Itua added that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration immediately took steps to correct past mistakes by directing the newspaper’s staff to return to work.
According to the statement, the governor went a step further by retrieving the printing press from the consultants and handing it over to The Observer’s management team, led by its General Manager, Sylvester Oboh.
“The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Mr Fred Itua, and directors from the Ministry of Information and Communication were among the top government officials who witnessed the handover,” he added.
During the handover on 7th February, Ohonbamu commended Fountain Brook Publishing Limited, led by Chike Madueke, for honouring its commitment and returning the printing press to the Edo State Government.
“When I assumed office, I stated that the primary mandate of The Observer is printing, which aligns with the vision of its founding fathers. The newspaper serves the grassroots by keeping the people informed. We must ensure they receive quality news.”
“We are all excited to be here today to retrieve the printing press and strategise on training staff for its operations. We assure the people of Edo State of quality reporting,” he stated.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Fountain Brook Publishing Limited, Mr Chike Madueke, said handing over The Observer newspaper’s printing press to the Edo State Government was the right thing to do, as it is government property.
“Our main concern regarding the printing press was its proper handling. It consists of three sections: one for printing flex banners, another for printing calendars and books, and the third for newspaper printing.”
“The printing quality is of a high standard. I am here to formally hand over the documents and keys to the three printing presses. It is the property of the Edo State Government,” he said.
In his remarks, the Acting General Manager of The Nigerian Observer, Oboh Sylvester, stated that since November 2024, the organisation had faced several challenges, including the absence of a self-operated printing press.
Oboh noted that The Observer is not just a media house but a printing and publishing corporation established by an Act of Parliament.
“Since 1968, The Observer has been instrumental in projecting government policies, serving institutions, and informing the general public.”
“The major tool we need to perform our duties—the printing press—was taken away from us. We had three presses within our premises but could not access any of them due to an agreement that was reached.”
“We appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to retrieve our printing press so we could resume effective operations, and he has fulfilled that request,” he said.
Gov Okpebholo laments inability to access state-owned newspaper’s facilities after retrieving it from consultant
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