News
FG Okays Community Radio Services
President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday empowered the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to approve licences for the establishment of Community Radio stations without recourse to the Presidency.
Jonathan gave the directive in Abuja, while declaring open the eighth biennial conference of Africa Broadcasters (Africast).
represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the President stated that already, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had considered and approved the guidelines proposed by the NBC for the licensing of community radio in Nigeria.
“We have devolved to the commission, the power to consider and issue the licences without further recourse to the Presidency, provided such applicants have met all the conditions stipulated by law,” he said.
The President, however, urged journalists to “maintain professional integrity, by ensuring truth, balance and fairness in their coverage of political activities.
“That is the only way they can truly help to ensure that we achieve the desired free, fair and credible elections we all crave for in this country.’’
He also reminded the journalists, particularly the broadcasters, of the paramount place of content in their programming.
“If we as Africans must tell our story, in our own words, to the rest of the world, then we must pay close attention to the production of edifying programmes using the best available technology.
“The challenge of providing sufficient suitable content is also further underlined by the imminent transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting, which will further expand the spectrum and offer more space that needs to be filled with content,” he remarked.
According to him, in recognition of the fact that digitisation in the broadcast sector is best driven by policy, the Federal Government will soon send a bill to the National Assembly for a law that will provide the legal framework for the transition.
He expressed optimism that the law would deal with the basic issues of the signal distribution system, the licensing framework, spectrum planning, broadcast standards, training and other issues that would make the transition smooth and meaningful.
“We recognise the crucial need to successfully transit to digital broadcasting, and we shall leave no stone unturned to achieve it within the deadline,” he said.
He, however, commended the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for inaugurating its digital terrestrial multi-channel station, describing it as a “positive step in the digitisation of programmes.”
The President also paid tributes to the Nigerian broadcast sector for its contributions to nation building.
“Through their programmes, broadcasters have continued to entertain, educate and inform the public about happenings around them, taking elected officials to task on their responsibilities and thus fulfilling their constitutional role of holding the government accountable to the people,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili, had urged all broadcast-related organisations to partner with the NBC to make Africast an industry platform, as it is being done in other parts of the world.
The minister who was represented by the Minister of State for Information, Mr Labaran Maku, asked Africast to reach out to other international conferences on the African continent as well as in Europe, Asia and America.
According to her, this will create a cooperation arrangement that will help place the conference more firmly and prominently on the global broadcast conferences’ agenda.
The three-day conference is being attended by participants across Africa, Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and Asia.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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