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RSNC GM Tasks NUJ On All-Inclusive Programme
The General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), publishers of The Tide Newspaper, Mr Vincent Ake has charged the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council to initiate an all-inclusive programme that would bring all together whether retired or serving practitioners.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the NUJ, last Wednesday, in his office at the corporation’s headquarters, Port Harcourt, Ake stated that if the executive initiates an all-inclusive programme such that would be beneficial to all, every member of the union would feel a sense of belonging, adding that it was the only way members would participate actively in the union’s activities.
The Tide boss stressed that the newspaper has been one of the oldest in the South-South and South-East which has maintained some high level of sanity in terms of technical production and quality of editorial content.
He commended the journalists in the corporation and all workers who have contributed in keeping the newspaper in the newsstand over the years.
Ake urged journalists in the state to do all they could to maintain the values and principles of the noble profession, and expressed worries over the influx of quacks in the system, charging the union’s executive to do the needful by weeding out unwanted elements in the profession.
The general manager expressed optimism that soonest, the corporation’s Goss Community Rotary Machine would be put to optimal use, adding that the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Emma Okah has promised government’s readiness to address the situation.
He urged all to pray for the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for good health and enough resources from the Federal Government to enable him continue with his good works.
Earlier, the Chairman, NUJ, Rivers State Council, Ayo Tamuno Omoni had stated that the purpose for the courtesy visit was to congratulate the General Manager, Mr Vincent Ake on his appointment.
Omoni called on the Rivers State Government to use the spirit of continuity to put The Tide’s new Rotary Machine to work, reminding the government that it was only when those needed components are put in place that the machine could be put to optimal use.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Ima-Obong Udofia
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.