Oborevwori Moves to Rebrand Delta’s Media Houses — Aniagwu

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has disclosed that the state government will, in 2026, embark on a total rebranding and structural overhaul of its three state-owned media organizations The Pointer Newspapers, Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba, and DBS Warri.

Aniagwu, who made this known on Monday in Asaba during the Ministry of Information’s budget defence session before the Ministry of Economic Planning, said the initiative is a key component of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s 2026 fiscal agenda, designed to modernize and strengthen government communication channels.

According to him, the proposed 2026 budget of the Ministry of Information, estimated at a little over ₦5 billion, will focus on upgrading infrastructure, improving visibility, and enhancing the efficiency of state-owned media platforms.

“Our priority areas in 2026 are to strengthen The Pointer, DBS Asaba, and DBS Warri — and to reposition them for modern broadcasting and publishing,” Aniagwu said. “We want a complete rebrand, not patchwork repairs. His Excellency believes the time has come for a paradigm shift that aligns with the MORE Agenda.”

The commissioner noted that while recurrent expenditure is pegged at ₦2.073 billion, capital expenditure stands at ₦3 billion, representing a modest increase from the 2025 budget.

He explained that the ministry delayed capital projects this year to allow for a full-scale restructuring of the three parastatals, rather than piecemeal refurbishments.

Aniagwu also identified key challenges such as inadequate official vehicles and poor infrastructure across agencies, expressing optimism that the 2026 budget would address these gaps.

“At the moment, even my Permanent Secretary has no official vehicle,” he lamented. “We are hopeful this new budget will make the ministry more functional.”

He further emphasized that the 2026 fiscal year, being a pre-election year, will require intensified public engagement to combat misinformation and promote accurate reporting of government activities.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, commended Aniagwu for the ministry’s effective communication strategies, assuring that its proposals would be thoroughly reviewed for possible enhancement.

We appreciate the efforts of the Information Ministry in properly propagating government policies,” Ekedayen said. “The committee will carefully review your proposals and encourage more partnerships with the private sector for sustainability.”

Aniagwu later told journalists that the Oborevwori administration remains committed to transparency, timely project execution, and prompt payment of workers’ salaries, maintaining Delta’s record as one of the few states that pay civil servants as early as the 24th of every month.

He concluded that the 2026 fiscal plan will sustain inclusive development across both upland and riverine communities.