Rivers
Ruler Urges Insurance For Journalists
National and State Houses of Assembly, have been called upon to enact laws that would make it mandatory for all media organisations to procure special insurance for their workers.
In the same vein, governments and organisations that own media houses have been urged to improve upon the remuneration and welfare for media practitioners.
The traditional ruler of Rumuorianwo in Rumuokwurusi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze S. C. Wokoma made the call Thursday at the maiden quarterly forum of the Rivers State Television (RSTV) chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Eze Wokoma said the call had become necessary in view of the risky nature of the journalism profession and the poor remuneration practitioners receive.
“A man from whom society expects impartiality and neutrality should be adequately remunerated for his work; he should have the level of financial security that makes him immune to those who desire to skew the news and to pervert public opinion for their private advantage”, he said.
The traditional ruler made a case for the equipment of media practitioners with modern technology that would enable them discharge their duties efficiently and professionally.
According to him, society equally expects the journalist to promote social justice and development. He commended the RSTV Chapel of the NUJ for initiating the forum which he said, was aimed at promoting development.
In his speech, the vice chairman of the RSTV Chapel of the NUJ, Mr Ogboka Umeda said the forum was part of the programmes of his executive to promote professionalism and quality service delivery from members.
Umeda, who represented the chairman, Honour Sirawoo, appealed to government and other corporate bodies to partner with RSTV and the NUJ in the corporation to provide needed technology that would enhance service delivery.
He commended the General Manager of RSTV, Mr Tonye Ekong for his support in ensuring the success of the forum.
A lecture titled “Meeting the Challenges of the New Media” was delivered by the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Barrister Karibi T. George
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.