Human Rights Network International has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on veteran journalist and retired Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri staff, Mr. Benjamin Ovberedjo, for his decades of advocacy and media excellence.
The honour was bestowed upon him during the Special Legislative Governance Reception Summit, hosted at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.
Presenting the award, His Royal Majesty, Adaka I, the Ovie of Orogun Kingdom, lauded the retired veteran for his unwavering dedication to the craft.
The Orogun monarch commended Mr. Ovberedjo’s consistency in utilizing the media as a potent tool for promoting social justice and ensuring public accountability.
He noted that such integrity serves as a blueprint for the next generation of communicators.
Speaking with reporters shortly after the ceremony, an elated Mr. Ovberedjo expressed profound gratitude to God and the Human Rights Network International for the recognition.
Reflecting on his career at DBS Warri, he emphasized that the award underscores the media’s vital role in defending human rights and strengthening democratic structures.
“Journalism must remain the voice of the voiceless,” he asserted, recalling his decades of service covering grassroots development and critical National elections.
The newly inducted Fellow used the platform to challenge younger colleagues to elevate the standards of the profession.
He urged them to Move beyond press releases, Avoid “handout journalism” and mere official statements.
The veteran journalist advised Journalists to Focus on solution-driven stories that hold leaders accountable to their promises, Prioritize the needs of the community over sensationalism
In a lighthearted highlight that drew cheers from the audience, the veteran journalist demonstrated his enduring versatility by performing a live sports commentary.
The spontaneous display served as a nostalgic reminder of the charismatic talent that defined his years at DBS Warri.
