Rivers
Perm Sec, GM Task The Tide NUJ On Hard Work, Innovation
Hardwork and discipline have been described as key tools to efficiency in any organisation.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibiwari Clapton Ogolo made the observation while declaring open a one-day intensive training and workshop organised by The Tide Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Mrs. Ogolo enjoined members of The Tide NUJ to ensure they are dedicated and focused on their duties so they can excel.
She commended the NUJ for organising the workshop, as she counselled on the need to be consistent in making impact with their programmes.
In his remarks, General Manager of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), Sir Ernest Chinwo said the workshop formed part of the new policy initiatives of the corporation.
He noted that innovation was key in adjusting to the ever-changing journalism industry.
“ The need for re-training is very essential these days due to technological changes. Journalists need to keep pace with these developments to meet up with their responsibilities.”
Acting Editor, Mrs. Juliet Njiowhor commended The Tide Chapel of the NUJ for the initiative, as she stressed the need for human capital development in driving the corporation to better performance.
Chairman of The Tide Chapel of the NUJ, Comrade Akujobi Amadi disclosed in his remarks that the workshop was planned by the union to arm and refresh members on their work responsibilities.
Amadi urged management to lend support to the push for efficiency by partnering with the body for future training.
During the workshop presentations, former Editorial Board Chairman of the corporation, Alabo Dagogo Clinton who spoke on “Editorial Writing,” said that aspect of journalism was central to the image of any newspaper.
According to Alabo Clinton, Editorial tells the mind and position of the newspaper on any public matter, and therefore should be given serious attention.
In the same vein, former Editor-in-Chief of The Tide, Barrister Ipalibo Karibi Botoye explained the rudiments of specialised reporting on the courts and other beats.
He challenged reporters to learn and ensure they know different aspects of the court beat in order to churn our stories that will sell the newspaper.
On his part, former Group News Editor, Thomas Abbey urged reporters to upgrade their knowledge of reporting beyond the usual.
Abbey who delivered a paper on Advanced Reporting said investigative reporting should be improved upon to gain more readership.
In the view of the former group news editor, many readers want something out of the usual and hence reporters should improve their skills on advanced aspect of journalism.
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.