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Work Towards Making Journalism Professional Body, Nsirim Tells Stakeholders
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has called on stakeholders in the media industry to forge a common goal aimed at truly professionalising journalism practice in Nigeria.
The commissioner, who expressed concern over the basterdisation of journalism practice with the advent of the new media, called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) to collectively articulate a framework that would make journalism a purely professional organisation.
Nsirim made the call, last Friday while playing host to the newly elected Executive body of NUJ, Rivers State Council, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt.
“We cannot continue to be a trade union. The NUJ, NGE and NPAN must come together to work towards professionalising the practice of journalism.
He urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists to put the issue of professionalism on the front burner of the ongoing amendments of the union’s Constitution, adding that such would address the incidence of quackery in the profession.
“We should abhor unnecessary sentiments when it comes to anything that has to do with the union. It is the FourthEstate of the Realm, and must not be an all comers’ affair.
“The NUJ must work together to professionalise. Whatever constitutional amendment that is taking place must be geared towards making the union a professional body,” he said.
Nsirim urged the Rivers State Council of the NUJ to drive the effort by ensuring that a credible membership register was provided at the state level while plans should be made to initiate training for journalists on the ethics of the profession.
He insisted that NUJ in the state must work towards the harmonisation of its membership register with a view to ensuring that only qualified and registered journalists were members.
Nsirim said events in the recent past have shown that NUJ in the state was ‘an all-comer affairs’ union’, noting that NUJ must professionalise, and stressed that the membership register should be made to be credible.
The commissioner, who was a former chairman of the union in the state, said the Constitution of the NUJ must be amended to give the union a pride of place in the scheme of things.
He also warned against the pull-me-down syndrome bedeviling the union, and promised that the ministry in conjunction with the state council would organise a workshop to address the issue of ethics in the profession.
Nsirim enjoined the leadership of the NUJ to join efforts with the ministry to drive the #OurStateOurResponsibility advocacy campaign aimed at changing the negative narrative about the state.
He reiterated that the conducive environment created by the Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration has positioned Rivers State as a destination of choice, adding that the NUJ needs to partner with the state government to tell the world that the state was open for business.
“I keep reminding everyone that lives and does business here that Rivers State is our state, is our responsibility. We began this campaign with the understanding that we have a shared prosperity to protect.
“We should not allow people to demarket our state. Those who are media practitioners in Rivers State must tell the outside world the true situation of things in Rivers State. We shouldnot join to demarket Rivers State.
“Rivers State is home for all who come to do legitimate business. Only criminals are not wanted here. But if you have a genuine business to do, Rivers State is home for you,” he stated.
He emphasised that the awards being bestowed on the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike were an endorsement by the media and people of Nigeria to say that they have found a man whose governance has resonated with the plight of the masses.
“It is not happenstance. Governor Wike came prepared for governance and he initiated a NEW Rivers blueprint that encapsulates overall development of Rivers State. That is why you see infrastructure, healthcare delivery, agriculture, education, sports, and housing, even social welfare.
“So, we are very fortunate at this time in history that we have a patriot like Governor Wike who has demonstrated from day one that he is here to rewrite history. That he is here to make Rivers State stand out as a place where will be open for investors. A place that will be a destination of choice in the years to come,” he said.
Nsirim insisted that Wike was, and remains the new face of democracy in Nigeria.
The state Chairman of the NUJ, Mr. Stanley Job Stanley, commended the governor for the development strides recorded in the state, particularly at the time the nation was experiencing serious economic crisis.
He expressed gratitude to the governor for appointing a core professional in the person of Nsirim as information and communications commissioner, adding that it would further cement relationship between the government and the media.
He congratulated Nsirim on his appointment, and assured the commissioner of the union’s collaboration with the state government to achieve more developmental strides.
Stanley also thanked the commissioner for the role he played during the last state triennial delegate congress of the union.
By: John Bibor
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.