Niger Delta
Ministry Seeks Media Partnership Against Negative Reports On RSG
Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications has initiated an advocacy programme to redress the flurry of negative stories peddled against the state by disgruntled elements.
The Permanent Secretary, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said the ministry would visit all media houses in the state to drum up support for the campaign.
Briefing Management of Rivers State Television (RSTV), Wednesday, Nsirim said the onus was on the media to ensure its role as the people’s watchdog was not misapplied by selfish individuals to the detriment of the same people it was meant to protect.
As the first port of call, with management staff of the ministry, Nsirim urged RSTV staff to apply more consciousness in their sensitization programmes through Jingles, news reports, advertisement and announcements.
He charged the RSTV Management to ensure they redressed the negative narratives by detractors of the state.
The campaign with the theme: “Our state Our responsibility”, is an affront against enemies of the state bent on demarketing and disparaging the state through unguarded and false uncomplimentary remarks, Nsirim noted.
According to the permanent secretary, Rivers State is blessed with a God fearing man as governor, adding that Nyesom Wike succeeded in projecting Rivers State to an enviable height both locally and internationally.
Furthermore, he said that Wike had disarmed his detractors and proved them wrong that Rivers State was unsafe.
The governor, he added, went a step further to make a point empirically by receiving several awards locally and internationally and hosting numerous events in the state such as: 2016 Annual Conference and Gala Nite, 12TH Africa movie Academy Awards (AMA) in Port Harcourt 2016, 2016 Annual General Conference of Magistrates Association of Nigeria in Port Harcourt. Nigerian Guild of Editors Annual General Meeting 2016/2017, 56th NBA Annual General Conference, POP National Convention 2016, West African Architecture Fair, Rotary International Regional meeting, Yobo Testimonial International Match 2016 and African Bar Association (AFBA) Conference 2017.
Other events are: The 11th General Synod of the Church of Nigerian, Anglican Communion September 2017, POP Presidential Primary, Retreat of the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, 6th Anniversary of the Science Teachers Association of Nigerian (STAN), Miss University Africa 2017 in Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt Great Gospel Crusade by (CFAN) in 2018, RCCG Holy Ghost Rally, Port Harcourt, Super Eagles Versus Congo 2018, NAFEST 2018 in Port Harcourt, African Wrestling championship 2018, 2019 African Badminton Championship and the Turkish Airline Flights from Port Harcourt, 2019.
In her reaction, the General Manager, Rivers State Television, Mrs. Dafini Gogo-Abbey, thanked the Permanent Secretary for his visit and for choosing RSTV as the first port of call for this “all important programme in the state”.
Gogo-Abbey promised that the station would sit up to ensure that the objective of the permanent secretary and his team was achieved, adding that he was bringing to bear professionalism in the system as Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Rivers State.
Directors from RSTV in attendance were, Director Administration, Victor Gorgor, Director of News/Current Affairs, Bon Woke, Director of Programmes, Goodluck Dagogo, Director Research/Planning, Mrs. Furo Iyagba, Director Procurement, Evans Adah and Mrs. Doreen Maxwell for Marketing.
While Directors from Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications who accompanied the permanent secretary were, Director Publications, Mr. Valentine Ugboma, Director Public Enlightenment, Mr. Obele Chu, Director of Admin, Austin Ezekiel-Hart, Director PRS, Mr. Dango Orawari and Director ICT, Mr. Kenneth Okujagu.
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.