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World Press Freedom Day; Rivers Pledges Support To Journalists …Insists On Professionalism
The Rivers State Government has assured journalists of support to enable them perform their sacred duties to society, but insisted that the government would only partner journalists if they ensure professionalism and sound moral and ethical judgement in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, gave the assurance during a lecture organized by the Rivers State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to mark the 2016 World Press Freedom Day with the theme: “Access To Information And Fundamental Freedom: This Is Your Right”, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Tam-George, who was represented by the Director, Public Enlightenment, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said that the government has already initiated policies and programmes to assist journalists in the state perform optimally, saying that the quest for press freedom would be a mirage if the journalists fail to ply their trade in line with global best practices.
The commissioner, who was the special guest of honour at the event, challenged journalists in the state to shun yellow and blackmail journalism, and concentrate efforts at sharpening their skills and expertise in conducting investigative reports to enhance sustainable development of the state, and the nation.
He charged journalists to be bold and courageous in the performance of the constitutional responsibilities, as that was one sure way of helping government win the fight against corruption, insecurity, and other vices in the society, and commended the NUJ for organizing the event.
Chairman of the occasion and General Manager, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Samson Fiberesima, charged journalists to guarde against acts capable of exposing them to danger, and described journalists as endangered species.
He said that the forum provided an opportunity for journalists to take stock of their performances over the years, and reposition themselves for greater role in efforts to move the nation forward.
Rivers State NUJ Chairman, Omoni Ayo-Tamuno said although some journalists in the state have faced precarious challenges in the hands of security agencies in recent time, more needed to be done to smoothen the synergy between journalists and security personnel to make the society a better place for all.
He called on government and public office holders to allow free flow of information to enable journalists effectively perform their duties.
In his goodwill message, Acting General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Soye Wilson Jamabo, lamented the inability of journalists in the state to boldly test the potency of the Freedom of Information Act, five years after it was assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan, and argued that the only way to achieve good governance is for journalists to deepen their interest in conducting investigative reporting, which the Act facilitates.
In his presentation, the Guest Lecturer, and Senior Lecturer at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Prof Gabriel Okon said the day presents an opportunity for journalists to reflect on the fundamental principles of press freedom, and also pay glowing tributes to those who had died in the course of duty.
Okon added that: “In every functional sense, this day would not have been possible in Rivers State and by extension, Nigerian, if not for the push exerted on the system by the sub-systems like security agencies, the press and the generality of the citizenry.”
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.