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Happy Survival, The Tide @50 …Happy Birthday To The Icon Of Public Spirited Credible Media Enterprise
On December 4, 2021, The Tide (formerly The Nigerian Tide) newspaper stable, published by the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), clocked 50 years of existence having been established on December 1, 1971 by the administration of then Lt. Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff. Incidentally, Diete-Spiff was the first ever governor of Rivers State. This remarkable feat in longevity for a government-owned newspaper stable, stands the establishment out as one of the landmark facilities that capture the resilience of the Rivers people in the face of all odds.
A life span of 50years for any human organisation or system, is hardly a casual affair given that most human systems, fail to reach that mark for the simple reason that the dynamics of human group activity, do not always conduce to empirically determined imperatives, which flow with mathematically determined precision. Hence, for the RSNC, the occasion calls for celebration, and commendation to all actors who served in various capacities, namely; reporters, editors, marketers, administrators, accountants, security personnel, contributors, columnists, and others too numerous to mention; whether currently serving or disengaged, who have had the privilege to contribute to the success and longevity of this icon of superlative media enterprise. Many similar government-owned media establishments have come and gone, leaving it to stand kampe, and grow from strength to strength. Indeed, if The Tide were to be personified, it will easily qualify as the last man standing, having survived all odds over the years where most of its contemporaries crashed.
Remarkably, in these 50years, the newspaper stable has served all the 15 administrations that had the grace to oversee the affairs of the Rivers State, since its creation on May 27, 1967. The roll call of the 15 military and civilian governors of the state comprises in chronological order as follows:
Hence, The Tide has served meritoriously the state and the country from the military era to the current democratic dispensation, even with the often dramatic swings with respect to the rotation of power between these two systems.
Not only did The Tide feature in the political sphere, it also served as the chronicler of the good, bad and ugly times of the Nigerian society in as many other spheres as possible, thereby providing the thread that connects the past and present and charts the future. It therefore renders itself to be the destination for whosoever is needy of insights into the past of the world, seen from this corner of the globe.
In these 50 years, The Tide has built a credible heritage of literary endowments through promotion of the arts, literacy, and civic consciousness. This is just as it has served as the fulcrum of credible journalism in this region.
With such a rich pedigree, the future for this establishment cannot but be rosy, even as such a dispensation cannot be without the proper enablement to keep it flowing with fulfilment for its operatives and patrons. Most significant in this context is that the global operating terrain for the media has transformed dramatically, with the pervasive onslaught of advances in information technology, and the invasion of the ubiquitous social media.Given the trending state of affairs in the global media industry, the present crop of operatives driving The Tide need to be commended for running ahead so far, even with the burden of unmistakable constraints.
Needless therefore to note that for The Tide to maintain the keel it had established at the top of the competition, the establishment needs retooling, as well as repackaging of its work force. After all, is it not a common cliché in Nigeria that ‘you do not clean a child’s teeth with ordinary fingers’.
Once again, this is saying congratulations to The Tide , as you flow more steadily into the future.
By: Monima Daminabo
Daminabo is former Editor-in -Chief of The Tide, (June 2000- August 2003).
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.
This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.
The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.
The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.
President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.
The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.
The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.
The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.
Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.
“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.
“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.
Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.
He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.
“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.
On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.
Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.
He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.
He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.
The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.
Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.
The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.
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