Deputy Speaker Hails Journalists’ Contribution To Democracy

Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, has lauded journalists for their contributions to the furtherance of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

Hon. Kwanee, who represents Khanna constituency II, stated this recently when he hosted Mr. Terver Akase of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on transfer  to Enugu to a farewell Luncheon in Port Harcourt.

The Deputy speaker, who is also the chairman, parliamentary exchange and Mentorship programme of the Pan African Parliament, said the media is a strong instrument in agenda setting.

He eulogized journalists for their  doggedness in discharging their duties as the fourth estate of the realm.

The lawmaker said the gathering was to thank journalists in the state for the support the Asembly received  during the hosting of the Pan African Parliament  in the state and also to bid farewell  to Mr. Akase on his  transfer to Enugu State.

Hon. Kwanee described  Mr. Akase as a fine journalist’ who has done much to improve the practice of the profeesssion in the  state and urged him to continue to uphold the ethical standard of the journalism profession.

Responding, Mr. Akase thanked the Deputy speaker for the honour done him, noting that his stay in Rivers State had been “fruitful, rewarding and satisfactory”

Mr. Akase disclosed  that on his arrival in 2008, the state was  chaotic but he found a governor who was  determined to ensure a security of lives and property and the effort paid off.

He described Rivers State as the  hub of journalist practice,  second only to Lagos, while the Deputy speaker and the state Assembly are doing their  best to make  good laws  that would reposition the state for the further.