Dr. Michael Tidi, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta, has appealed to comedians and the media to help project Warri in good light.
Tidi made the appeal on Sunday during a reception organised in his honour by the Obelikpeyah family of Ukpokiti and Igbudu communities of Agbarha kingdom in Warri South.
He said that such development would help to encourage investors who had hitherto left Warri to return.
Reports that Tidi’s grandmother hailed from the Obelikpeyah family of Ukpokiti in Agbarha kingdom, an Urhobo enclave.
According to him, comedians and the media sometimes project Warri in bad light which most times dampened the interest of prospective investors from doing business.
“Comedians and Journalists should not project Warri in bad light. That sad and ugly narrative is what we have been changing since I came on board.
“So I plead with them to rather help and project Warri in good light so that investors that had hitherto left can come back. Together, we can move Warri forward,” he said.
Tidi said that his administration had been able to entrench peace in the metropolis through various policies and programmes, including the Warri Economic Summit, that had been held twice.
He assured that he would redouble his efforts to ensure sustainability of the existing peace.
“The Warri Economic Summit was geared towards the singular purpose of living in harmony.
“What is paramount to us is peace. A lot of sacrifices have gone into the new face we have given to Warri South.
“I want a Warri South where different diverse people are seen as one. The Urhobos and Itsekiris living as brothers and sisters.”
Tidi thanked them for the grand reception, noting that this was the second time he was received by the Obelikpeyah family of Ukpokiti and Igbudu communities of Agbarha kingdom as their son.
Earlier, Prince Julius Kpesu, the Secretary-General of Obelipeyah family, said the people are happy to associate with the giant strides of the council boss in the areas of good governance and human capital development.
“This reception might be coming a little late but it is better late than never. No time is too late to acknowledge a worthy son.
“In these days when young men of your age are indulging in unwholesome activities, you decided to follow the path of honour and dignity, seeking and acquiring education.
“In your young age, you have proven that there is nothing that cannot be achieved with a dint of hard work and God’s grace in an era when some are saying education is a scam.
“Our earnest prayers is that God continue to grant you wisdom to accomplish more successes in the remaining years in office and also grant your desires in furtherance of your political aspirations,” he said.