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FG Tasks Media On Rebranding Nigeria …Amaechi Wants Journalists To Be Accountable
The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili has tasked the media on highlighting the positive aspects of Nigeria in order to reposition the image of the country.
Prof Akunyili gave the challenge while declaring open the 6th Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Information Minister said the mass media must join in the effort to rebrand Nigeria, stressing that as gatekeepers in the media industry, editors are expected to display transparency and high level of accountability in checking the contents of their newspapers.
She lauded the media for championing the cause of democracy and good governance in the country, recalling that Nigeria’s independence from colonial masters was also won by the mass media.
For the media to sustain the tempo, she called on the editors to engage in thorough self scrutiny as to meet up the developmental challenge in the country.
With the 2011 election fast approaching, Prof Akunyili tasked the media executives to rise up to the challenge by ensuring that the elections were free and fair.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi said the theme of the conference was timely considering the fact that the post amnesty poses a lot of challenges for media practitioners who are expected to check the contents of what they publish.
Amaechi said the situation in the Niger Delta is far from what many newspaper publish, hence the need for the editors to have a first had information of the situation.
He stated that the situation in the Niger Delta was peculiar and needs special attention to ameliorate the anguish of the people which arose from oil and gas exploration.
The president, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Gbenga Adefaye had earlier stated that the theme of the conference: “oil and gas, post amnesty and the Nigeria editor”, was timely as oil contributes to about 90 per cent of the country’s revenue.
Following the reforms initiated by President Jonathan, towards sustaining the post-amnesty programme editors and journalists he noted must exhibit transparency, accountability and consideration for the people and the environment as well.
The NGE president remarked that the country should emulate global best practices in the oil sector, adding , “ the way United States has treated the spill in Gulf Mexico should attract Nigeria’s attention.
Adefaye lauded the Rivers State Government, NDDC the secretary to the Government of the federation and other corporate bodies for ensuring the success of the conference.
In a related development, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the media to be accountable to the public in the reportage of events and activities in society.
Amaechi stated this yesterday in his keynote address to the Sixth All Nigerian Editors Conference in Port Harcourt which has as its theme: Oil and Gas, Post-Amnesty and the Nigerian Editor.
He pledged support for the Information Bill as long as it has a provision for criminal libel against a media practitioner that deliberately publishes what is incorrect.
The governor, who highlighted the many advantages of an accountable media culture, urged media practitioners to be accountable to the public through factual reportage of events, emphasizing that it was the same way elected officers could be held accountable to the people that elected them.
He remarked that Nigeria stands on the threshold of history towards the 2011 elections and charged the media to play its agenda setting role through their editorials in the various media organizations.
The governor explained that political parties must be prepared to show the electorate what they have done to seek for election, stressing that votes should count, for politicians to be more responsible.
The State Chief Executive noted that God has blessed Nigeria with natural resources in various parts of the country and enjoined the Nigerian Guild of Editors to push for fiscal federalism as a way of enhancing the development of the nation.
According to him, “oil and gas seems to have crippled the inherent but readily available mental capacity of our nation to engage itself fully with the lure of easy petro-dollar”, noting that the discovery of oil has ushered in misery to the Niger Delta people even as the federal government has not done any project in the state for the past 20 years.
Amaechi, who highlighted his efforts in the establishment of the social rehabilitation institute to reform misguided youths, said federal government need to move fast in its Post Amnesty Programme to enable ex-militants reintegrate into society.
Speaking, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili urged the Nigerian Guild of Editors to celebrate Nigeria as part of efforts of rebranding the country .
She said time has come for the editors to believe in themselves and highlight some positive things that are happening in Nigeria in their publications.
On her part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari thanked the Nigerian Guild of Editors for choosing Port Harcourt for their conference, and enjoined them to thank Governor Chibuike Amaechi for picking one of their members to serve in the State Executive Council.
The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Gbenga Adefaye described the conference as an opportunity to refocus as elections are approaching, adding that editors need to put public policies on the agenda while politicians play their game.
Amaechi, who also conducted the delegates round some projects executed by the State Government, had earlier received the Nigerian Guild of Editors on a courtesy call at Government House, Port Harcourt where he charged them to be responsible in the discharge of their duties to the society.
Felix Okogbule
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
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.
