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Ganduje Tasks Editors To Be Conflict Sensitive
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has declared open 2021 Nigerian Guild of Editors Biennial Convention, themed “The Media in COVID-19 Era: Challenges and Opportunities,” with a charge on editors to be conflict sensitive.
Describing the event as an opportunity to look into national development as it relates to media practice, he urges that, “It is very important at this time that we should use the media for the promotion of peace and stability and change the viewpoints that could alter public views and sentiment toward a more peaceful resolution of our multi-faceted current crises.”
Adding that, “If and only if we as a nation are interested in peace and harmony, we must reject hate propaganda machinery. In the main, this is a time Editors should be conflict-sensitive about our nation.”
He observed that, crossing of redlines by some media organisations in recent times has impacted on the nation’s unity, harmony and integration.
Urging that, “Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, we will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. The media and particularly our gatekeepers have a role to play in this regard.”
While urging media to ensure looking into social responsibility aspect of their practice for national development, he maintains that, the call for freedom of the Press, observance of ethical standard must also be seen to be respected.
Ganduje also said that his government took bold steps in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic to a standstill, adding that the development was informed by the priority placed on the health of the people.
According to him such measures includes prevention, curative and palliative in line with the NCDC guidelines adding that if such measures were not quickly put in place, ,the consequences of Covid-19 on the people of the state would have been detrimental.
He said Kano was one of the states that took the Covid-19 pandemic very seriously and tackled it squarely in a manner which earned it commendation from the National Center for Disease Control NCDC.
Ganduje charged the Media to imbibe the theory of Social Responsibility especially in the reportage of issues concerning health.
The governor decried the misuse of press freedom by Journalists in the area of fake news and advised that they reflect on the true state of the nation.
Ganduje who assured the Guild of the safety of the state asked that as the watchdog of society,it is expected to live above board in the conduct of its election.
He told the Editors about his government ‘s numerous projects, and programmes as well as the appointment of members of the Press into key positions in his administration.
Prof Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor Federal University, Kashere, commended Ganduje’s effort in maintaining good working relationship with the media.
He explained in clearer terms that fake news now affects media credibility and development. He therefore called on media practitioners to stick to ethical standard and also follow suit in using technology, as it is obtained presently.
Present at the event were, former governor of Ogun state, Chief Aremu Olusegun Osoba, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Prof Umar Pate, former Presidents of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), former and serving Presidents of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among many other captains of the media industry.
Delivering his address, the President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah brought the challenges of press freedom in the country to the front burner.
Isah wondered if there was indeed press freedom in the country as recent clampdown on media houses recently by the National Broadcasting Commission NBC suggested the contrary.
“ It is rather unfortunate that Nigeria has consistently retrogressed in the Global Press Freedom Index since 2005 To think that this is happening in a democracy makes it more worrisome.
“ Yes, the 1999 Constitutiion gives the media the responsibility to hold the government accountable to the people. That means our duty is to ask pertinent questions about governance on behalf of the people and unearthed what the government is trying to hide.
“ This is what creates the friction between the government and the media.but government’s resort to self- help through arrest of Journalists and clampdown on media houses are not the solution.” he said.
The president spoke on fake news attributing the menace to the advent of the social media.
While he noted that the social media was not completely bad, he said its abuses were important for immediate solution through government and requisite agencies with service providers.
Isah said that practitioners of fake news” are not members of the NGE as members are trained Journalists and responsible gatekeepers”.
On the State of the Nation, the guild president described the prevailing insecurity in the country as frightening saying too many lives have been lost.
He said while it was the responsibility of the government to secure lives, it was incumbent on the guild to liase with security agencies through the provision of credible information on the activities of criminals.
However, a new Executive Committee to pilot the affairs of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) for the next two years has emerged.
This is the outcome of the Guild’s 2021 Convention held at the Tahir Guest Palace Hotel, Kano, last Monday night.
In a keenly contested election, devoid of acrimony and rancour, in which 241 delegates from various parts of the country voted, the incumbent President, Mustapha Isah was returned.
He scored 176 votes to defeat Victoria Ibanga, who got 54 votes; just as Ali Ali emerged Deputy President unopposed.
Samuel Egbala got 132 votes to beat Sheddy Ozoene, who scored 88 votes for the position of vice president, East.
Bolaji Adebiyi emerged as VP West with 151 votes; beating Ken Ogbechie, who garnered 80 votes.
For the position of VP, North, Habibi Nuhu emerged unopposed, just as Iyobosa Uwugianren was elected unopposed as General Secretary.
Assistant National Secretary’s position was clinched by Austeen Elewodalu, who got 126 votes; to beat Rose Moses, who got 86 votes.
Steve Nwosu won the election as Treasurer with 150 votes. Catherine Agbo scored 51 votes while Juliet Chinda Njiowhor scored 26 votes.
Others are Social/Publicity Secretary, with Eze Anaba winning with164 votes; while Chooks Oko got 53 votes.
For the two positions of Standing Committee Member, East, Ngwuoke Ngwuoke and Boma Nwuke we’re returned unopposed.
Fir Standing Committee Member, West, Onuoha Ukeh got 174 votes; Gabriel Akinadewo scored 174 votes; Woke Shogunle got 172 votes; and duly elected while Abimbola Tooki who got 61 votes, lost the election.
For Standing Committee Member, North, Umoru Ibrahim got 202 votes; and Gbenga Adeshina got 113 votes to emerged victorious while Mark Amarere scored 99 votes.
Earlier, the 2021 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) had kicked off in Kano with about 300 delegates.
Malam Sule Yau-Sule, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.
Yau-Sule disclosed that more than 278 had so far registered as against 250 expected by the committee, adding that more participants were being expected before the end of the day.
“People are happy with the peaceful atmosphere of the state, that is why the turn out is every impressive,” he said.
According to him, the challenges they are facing now is over shooting of expectation and they are able to take care of it.
The LOC chairman described the theme of the convention: “The media in COVID -19 Era: Challenges and Opportunities” as very apt and timely, and urged media practitioners and journalists to make use of the presentation to their advantage.
NAN reports that the NGE convention would last from May 31 to June 2, 2021.
It is the first to be hosted in Kano.
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
