Vexed by the circumstances in which professional journalists now operate in Nigeria as a result of the new phase of national insecurity, caused by Islamist terrorists, Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq., has called on media practitioners to brace up to the challenges.

He told media practitioners not be intimidated by the violent campaigns of agents of evil, hence violence and evil have never triumphed over freedom and good.

Ogeah said the recent gruesome killing of Mr. Suleiman Bisalla, managing editor of New Telegraph newspaper, was not only sad and shocking but a reminder to the challenges facing journalists under the new phase of insecurity in the country.

A statement signed by Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq. and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, July 3, 2014 reads:

“For us in the media community in Delta State, the passing of Mr. Suleiman Bisalla, managing editor of New Telegraph newspaper, under gruesome circumstances is not only sad and shocking but a reminder to the challenges facing journalists under the new phase of insecurity in the country.

“That such a talented and accomplished editor had to lose his life through the actions of religious extremist groups with cultures that are alien to our people makes it hurt a lot more.

“On behalf of the media community in Delta State, we commiserate with the management and staff of New Telegraph, the national body of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the family of the slain journalist.

“At a time like this, the media community is being counted on by Nigerians to lead the rest of the country in defying terrorists who seek to steal our collective peace and unity, just as it did in the fight to restore democratic rule and freedom.

“We must not be intimidated by the violent campaigns of agents of evil whose strategy is, in truth, a show of cowardice. All through history, violence and evil have never triumphed over freedom and good.

“We pray that the soul of Mr. Suleiman Bisalla will find eternal peace in God’s paradise. “