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”.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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