BY PATRICK MGBODO
IN a world where the flow of information shapes perceptions, moulds opinions, and influences governance, individuals who master the art of communication while maintaining a steadfast commitment to truth are exceptionally rare. These are the people who serve as the silent architects of societal progress, leveraging their platforms to create narratives that inspire growth, accountability, and positive change. The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr Michael Ifeanyi Osuoza, is undoubtedly, one of such rare individuals.
The Agenda, as he is fondly called, represents a unique breed of leaders who transcend the conventional roles of public office, embodying instead the very principles of service, vision, and transformative leadership. His journey, from a student leader at the Auchi Polytechnic Students’ Union Government where he served as Secretary General in 1988 and later as the Ag Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to a renowned strategist and communicator, has been defined by a relentless pursuit of truth, accountability, and the power of storytelling. In a society flooded with misinformation, individuals like Dr Osuoza rise above the noise, ensuring that information is not only published or broadcast but thoughtfully curated, strategically aligned with state developmental goals, and grounded in the unshakable pillars of integrity. Indeed, he is the Agenda.
What further distinguishes Dr Osuoza is his rare ability to merge intellectual rigour with real-world application—a skill refined over decades of experience in both private and public sectors. With a career spanning pivotal roles, from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tac Armouring Global Limited to African representative for Texas Armoring Corporation, he honed his ability to navigate complex business landscapes while mastering the nuances of communication. This foundation prepared him for the critical roles he later assumed in public service, including Chairman of the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS Asaba and Warri) and his current position as Commissioner for Information.
Under his leadership, Delta State’s communication apparatus has flourished. His strategic support of the Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation (DPPC), which publishes The Pointer newspaper, has been instrumental in expanding the daily’s reach, particularly in the digital space. Dr. Osuoza’s ability to reimagine The Pointer as a powerful tool for governance, transparency, and public empowerment is proof of his visionary leadership.
Upon assuming office, Dr. Osuoza wasted no time in aligning his ministry’s mission with a higher purpose, committing the ministry and its staff to God’s guidance. His humility in seeking divine intervention for the propagation of the MORE Agenda—a comprehensive roadmap for development laid out by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori—set the tone for his tenure. His leadership, marked by a clear vision and unyielding dedication to public service, seeks not just to communicate government policies but to transform the relationship between governance and the people.
From his very first address to the staff of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Osuoza made it clear that under his stewardship, the dissemination of government policies, programs, and projects would be robust and widespread. He urged the civil servants in his ministry and parastatals to rally behind the MORE Agenda and promised to deepen the engagement with image makers and journalists to counter the growing threats of misinformation and fake news. His goal was simple: to ensure that the triumphs of the Oborevwori’s administration were known far and wide. “We will improve the synergy with image makers and open collaborations with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to propagate the governor’s successes,” he said.
This collaborative spirit was further emphasized when Dr. Osuoza met with Public Relations Officers (PROs) across Delta State. In a strategic meeting held in Asaba, he challenged them to justify their roles by going beyond the ordinary in communicating the activities of their respective ministries to the public. His words struck a chord: “You cannot afford to be relaxed; you must seize the initiative if you know your worth. As trained professionals, you must showcase the MORE Agenda and the government’s activities. We will provide you with the tools you need, but if you have the passion for the job, you can improvise in the meantime.”
Beyond motivating his internal team, Dr. Osuoza’s philosophy on communication has always revolved around fostering transparency, integrity, and partnerships. Addressing journalists at a meeting with the Asaba Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he urged the media to support the government’s MORE Agenda by fairly reporting the successes of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration. He cautioned against biased or one-sided journalism, insisting that truth and balanced reporting are fundamental to effective public communication. “Always seek the government side of the story,” he advised. “A one-sided story does not make you a good journalist. Stand by the truth, and do not add spices to a story just to sell your paper. If you balance your stories, the partnership between the media and the government will flourish.”
Dr. Osuoza also addressed employees at state-owned media outlets, precisely The Pointer and Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba, where he emphasized the importance of discipline, productivity, and unity. He warned against toxic workplace behaviours that could sabotage the effective propagation of the MORE Agenda, urging employees to separate personal grievances from their professional responsibilities. “If you have enmity with a colleague, leave it at the gate when you come to work and pick it up when you leave,” he said. As a former unionist himself, Dr Osuoza reminded the staff that unionism should be about protecting members’ welfare and promoting productivity, not disrupting progress.
His relationship with the media community has been marked by accessibility and mutual respect, as seen in his engagement with online journalists. Recognizing the power of the digital age, he urged online publishers to be constructive in their criticism and to prioritize the dissemination of facts over falsehoods.“If you publish facts, it will sell your medium more than falsehoods ever could,” he counselled, reaffirming his commitment to fairness and transparency.
Dr Osuoza’s leadership style and philosophy reflect the core values of The Pointer, a state-owned newspaper whose history is intertwined with Delta’s development narrative. Established by Government Edict No 65, Volume 5, on December 1, 1995, and wholly owned by the Delta State Government, The Pointer started as a weekly publication, first published on October 28, 1994. By 1995, it had grown to twice-weekly editions and eventually became a daily publication on May 24, 2000. Under the stewardship of leaders like Dr. Osuoza, The Pointer has become a vital tool for public empowerment, fostering transparency and acting as a voice for the state’s developmental strides.
Dr. Osuoza personifies the core values of The Pointer—Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence, Creativity, Innovation, Partnership, Resourcefulness, Timeliness, and Learning. His leadership has not only transformed Delta State’scommunication landscape but also serves to remind us that individuals like him are essential to maintaining the integrity of public discourse. His commitment to ensuring that the truth is told, that progress is documented, and that Deltans are informed and empowered makes him a deserving recipient of the honours bestowed by the Delta Printing and Publishing Corporation (DPPC) on its 30th anniversary.
Such individuals are rare not because their skills are impossible to learn, but because the character they embody cannot be easily replicated. Dr. Michael Ifeanyi Osuoza is a shining example of integrity and excellence in public communication, a custodian of truth in an age of misinformation, and a tireless servant of the people of Delta State. His leadership, rooted in service and vision, is an inspiration, and his contributions to public communication will continue to resonate for years to come.
