Niger Delta
US Restates Commitment To Credible Polls In Nigeria

A two-day election reporting training programme organized by the United States Mission in Nigeria has ended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, with a commitment by the US Government to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Ekiti, Osun this year, and the 2019 General Elections.
The US Government also tasked journalists in the South-South geopolitical zone to give adequate coverage to all parties and processes leading to the 2019 elections while working round the clock to uncover threats to free, fair, credible and non-violent electoral process in the region.
Speaking during the closing ceremony at Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, last Tuesday night, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, Darcy Zotter, said that the commitment of the US Government to credible elections in Nigeria informed the mission’s decision to train journalists across the country with a view to retooling them on global best practices in election reporting.
Zotter noted that the press was extremely important due to its critical role in shaping electorate’s choices before, during and after elections, adding that it was also important for journalists to protect themselves against violent forces who may want to take advantage of the period to unleash harm on innocent citizens.
“We have confidence that the key in achieving set goals is the press. Looking forward to the next election, we know that you are going to play important roles. The books have stated what exact roles you are going to play. But we think your role is difficult to measure.
This is why we have decided to put together this training opportunity to refresh your skills and competences to enable you do better for Nigeria and Nigerians”, Zotter told the journalists, drawn from both print and electronic media outfits in the region.
Zotter emphasized that the training module was designed to give both the US and Nigerian perspectives to elections, adding that it was expedient for reporters covering elections in Nigeria to get it right this time around.
In her remarks, one of the guest lecturers, and Director of International Media Training, Voice of America, Ms Joan Mower said it was critical for journalists to know what the laws governing elections in Nigeria were and report based on informed knowledge, while giving all political parties equal coverage.
Mower observed that a year to Election Day, all media houses were expected to have firmed up their election coverage plans, trained and positioned journalists to begin reporting on Independent National Electoral Commission’s preparation processes, parties’ candidates, and the issues bordering the electorate and their preferences.
Also speaking, another guest lecturer and former Dean of Communications, Lagos State University, Prof Lai Oso charged Nigerian journalists to get out of their comfort zones and go all out to expose corrupt politicians in the country, adding that this can only be achieved if journalists dwell more on investigative journalism and play down on promoting hate speech as well as sensational reports capable of dividing the country.
Oso frowned at the poor attitude of some journalists who have failed to take full advantage of the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and rather chose to promote violence and division in the country, and charged Nigeria Press Council (NPC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to collaborate to ensure discipline, professionalism and good ethical conduct of journalists in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the 25 trainees, Regional Editor, BusinessDay, South, Ignatius Chukwu expressed delight at the opportunity offered Nigerian journalists by the US Mission to sharpen their competences and skills preparatory to the 2019 General Elections, and challenged other stakeholders in the country, including media outfits, to play more significant roles in efforts to train and retrain journalists to ensure credible outcome in the 2019 elections.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.