News
Pursue Dev Journalism, Nsirim Tasks Media
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has called on the media in the State to always be development-minded in their reportage.
Nsirim who made the call at an event marking the two years anniversary of a Port Harcourt based Radio Station ‘Wish FM’ last Saturday noted that only such reportage will encourage the current development strides of the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Commissioner in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Soibi Max-Alalibo and made available to the Tide said the expectation of the media in the State to focus on development journalism stems from the love the Governor has shown for the media, as exemplified by his (Nsirim’s) appointment.
The statement reads, “If he (Governor) appointed me as Permanent Secretary, and posted me to the Ministry of Information, it was a bold statement, saying that this is your own, this is where he should function.
“Haven functioned there for the past two years, he has made me commissioner. This brings us to a new dawn in the media industry in Rivers.”
Nsirim, whose statements were guided by the fact that the Governor is the first to appoint a core Journalist of the State, who had grown through the ranks of the profession as Commissioner, hinted that it is the Governor’s way of showing his love for Journalists in the State, hence the call for journalist to be developmental.
“My appointment as Commissioner for Information, as I’ve repeatedly said, is a vote of confidence for the journalism profession and media industry in Rivers State.
“That is why the onus is on us to prove to prove to His Excellency, Nyesome Wike, the architect of the new vision, the man who has begun to build a legacy for prosperity, the man whose passion for the development of Rivers State is unparalleled in the history of the State.
“It’s time for those in the media to show him that haven recognized their own, they will support his policies programmes”, the Information and Communications Commissioner said.
He explained that it is the development strides of Governor Wike that has created the enabling environment for businesses such as Wish FM to thrive, just as he lauded the zeal of the management and staff of Wish FM, as the first business radio station in the State, in the level of progress recorded in just two years.
While urging them to do more in carving niche for themselves, Nsirim assured the station of Government’s support, in the same way the Governor has encourages and supported other businesses in the State.
Earlier, various dignitaries who graced the occasion separately lauded the blazing trail set by the Chairman of Wish FM, Hon. Chinyere Igwe and his staff in broadcasting in the State.
Representative of Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Ine Fubara lauded Hon Igwe for promoting indigenous business to a success.
Fubara, who is a Senior Special Assistance to the Deputy Governor, prayed and charged the station to do more.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Kamalu, emphasized that “government will continue to support serious indigenous businesses in the State”.
Chairman of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Stanley Job Stanley, represented by the Vice Chairman, Paul Bazia, and the leadership of the State Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU) also spoke on the uniqueness of the station and its success.
While both leadership called for support for the station, Opi Erekosima, who spoke on behalf of RATTAWU, called on the management of the station to also take the welfare of their workers serious.
On his part, Monima Daminabo, a former Editor-n-Chief of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, who Hon Igwe identified as a key figure in the success story of the station, emphasized on the uniqueness of the focus of the station as the first truly indigenous radio station in Rivers State.
Others who graced the occasion include the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, the Peoples’ Democratic Party Chairman in PHALGA, and the Director General of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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