The media has been urged to become an important force in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), transforming storytelling into a catalyst for social change and community empowerment in a powerful call to action.
The clarion call came on Thursday during a strategic media parley at the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) premises in Asaba, where key government officials emphasized the media’s critical role in bridging policy aspirations with grassroots realities.
Lady Diana Ereyitomi Eyo-Enoette, Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on SDGs, delivered a compelling address, stressing that sustainable development requires nuanced, community-specific approaches. “The media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, wields the storytelling power to connect the ambitious goals of the SDGs with the everyday struggles of our people,” she declared.
Highlighting the alignment between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE agenda and the SDGs, Eyo-Enoette challenged journalists to transform sustainable development into a collective consciousness.
Mrs. Kristen Jobome-Emetulu, General Manager of DBS Asaba, described the event as a strategic initiative to unify media practitioners across traditional and digital platforms. The gathering aimed to generate collaborative strategies for promoting SDG awareness and state-level developmental initiatives.
Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Director-General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, underscored the importance of development-focused communication and called for specialized training to enhance journalists’ capabilities in SDG reporting.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of Mrs. Jobome-Emetulu as a United Nations SDGs partner and advocate. The parley, themed “Advancing the SDGs: Media in Action,” featured workshops, expert presentations, and interactive sessions designed to deepen understanding of sustainable development principles.
The event concluded with media professionals recommitting to using their platforms as transformative tools, pledging to bridge policy objectives with tangible community impact.
With over 5,000 individuals already benefiting from SDG-related projects in Delta State, the media’s role in amplifying these efforts has never been more critical.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
