RSG Presents NUJ Secretariat Keys To Union …To Review Posting Policies For NYSC

The Rivers State Government yesterday handed over the keys of the ultra-modern Ernest Ikoli Press Centre to the new executive of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) barely 34 days after the official commissioning of the building.
The secretariat was commissioned by the immediate past Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the 27th of May, 2015 amid fanfare and celebrations from journalists in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Sam Woka, who performed the handover ceremony on behalf of the state government, explained that the ceremony had to be delayed to protect the edifice from being vandalised by hoodlums following perceived crisis in the union.
Woka, who expressed the hope that journalists in the state, will get access to the secretariat in the next few weeks, also stressed the need for proper maintenance of the facilities at the press centre.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary has assured of the state government’s readiness to work with journalists to improve access to government information in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the new executive of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, he said that government will continue to insist in responsible journalism practice.
Woka stressed the need for journalists to always verify their stories before going to press to avoid litigation, and urged the new executive to always maintain listening ears, while discharging its duties.
The Permanent Secretary also commended the union for its successful triennial delegates’ conference, and assured that its request for assistance to enable the journalists in the state participate in the forth-coming triennial National delegates’ Conference in Abuja will be communicated to the state Governor for prompt action.
Earlier, the newly elected state Chairman of the Council, Mr. Ayo Tamuno had said that the visit was to thank the Ministry and government for their continuous support to journalists in the state.
Tamuno, particularly thanked the government for the ultra-modern secretariat, and stressed the need for the government to facilitate its connection to the national grid.
He also requested for a yearly grant and vehicles to enable the union discharge its duties effectively.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has promised government’s support to the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) in the state.
Speaking when the state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Dorothy Nwatarali and other senior officials of the scheme visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, Wike said the state government will not hesitate in providing the necessary support to make the programme effective
Against this backdrop, he promised to upgrade facilities at the orientation camp and also provide a 500KVA generator to guarantee sufficient power supply for the camp.
The Rivers State governor reiterated the desire of government to make the welfare of corps members a priority, as he donated two coaster buses and over 1,000-life jackets for those serving in the riverine areas of the state.
He also pledged government’s support for the Rural Mobile Health Scheme floated by corps members, and commended them for their efforts in raising the standard of health care delivery at the grassroots.
On the request by the state coordinator of the scheme to review its posting policy for corps members, the governor said the review will not be total, since that will negate the essence of the scheme.
In his words, “the scheme is to contribute to the development of the country. Therefore, if we are going to revisit the posting policy of the state, we are going to post you where you are relevant and not necessarily were you want to be posted to”
The governor remarked that his experience as Minister of State for Education has shown that many corps members shy away from contributing to the nation’s development by refusing to be posted to where they are expected to practice their profession – an act, he attributed to the poor quality of graduates in the country who are half-baked and scared of being exposed.
He insisted that while professionals like doctors, lawyers and engineers can be engaged in the ministries and parastatals, others should be sent to the classrooms, saying that he could not comprehend what a graduate of mathematics will be doing in an oil company.
Wike commended the State’s director for the role of corps members in the last general elections.
Conceding the brilliant performance of INEC, Wike argued that the success of INEC cannot be divorced from the role of corps members.
His words: “they said INEC performed well but without corps members, they would not have achieved success.”
Earlier, the state Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Dorothy Nwatarali, had congratulated the governor on his success at the polls as she sought for government’s support for the scheme.
In addition to the provision of the 500KVA generator, the NYSC state director had also prayed the governor to renovate the orientation camp and offices of the scheme, disclosing that there are over 11,000 corps members serving in Rivers State.
Nwatarali, had earlier called for the review of the state’s posting policy for corps members, disclosing that currently the state has over 11,000 members posted and that all cannot serve in schools.
Pledging support of the scheme to promote education and health policies, the state director of the NYSC, pleaded with government to pay corps members special allowances in addition to the provision of safety gears, especially for those serving in the riverine parts of the state.