News
NUJ Tasks RSTV On Quality Programming
The chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Rivers State chapter, Mr.
Opaka Dokubo has charged the management of Rivers State Television Authority
(RSTV) not to relent in churning out programmes that would benefit the
generality of the Rivers people despite the challenges facing the broadcasting
organisation.
Mr. Opaka, who was speaking when members of the State
Executive Council of the NUJ paid a
courtesy visit to RSTV said the visit was intended to review and cement
existing relationship between the state
NUJ and the TV house.
He explained that RSTV
was strategic and important to the Rivers people and expressed
the hope that the station would
meet the expectations of the people.
The NUJ boss reminded the management of the
competitiveness of television broadcasting in the state and called on them to
raise the standard of broadcasting in
order not to be out classed and thrown
out of business.
“If we do not raise our game, it would be a matter of time
before we are out of the business”, he said.
While acknowledging
the challenge of power generation faced by the TV house and its location
which is also a challenge to staff, he praised the doggedness of the management
for keeping the station going.
Mr. Opaka urged the staff, especially those of the NUJ to
put in their best, adding that RSTV
was not an obscure organisation because its importance of the
national level cannot be overemphasised.
According to him, the state government has a lot to do to
make the RSTV grow in order to encourage the efforts of the staff to compete favourably with a other television
stations in the state, so “government should make imputs towards that
direction.”
In his speech, the General Manager of RSTV, Mr. Tonye Ekong,
who was represented by the Director, Programmes, Oriselem Dokubo, said
that it was important for the NUJ and RSTV to work together as a team with
understanding.
She described the visit as a welcome development and
pledged, management’s commitment to ensuring quality service.
She said it was not possible to meet all the expectations of
the staff in view of the challenges of working with obsolete equipment.
The director of programmes said the issue of cameras, lighting and power
generation was overbearing on the finances of the Authority and hoped that the
planned digitalisation of the station by 2015 would be realisable.
“Digitalisation is political and in the hands of government just as the much
talked about media village”, she said and challenged members of the NUJ to be more daring in their reports,
explaining, “we are the ones to bring to light what the people should know”.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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