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The Tide To Support NGOs, Others Driving Creative Innovations
The management of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), publishers of The Tide Newspaper has said it would support non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other development agencies driving creative innovations of young people with a view to boosting wealth that would impact positively on the development of the state and the nation.
The General Manager of RSNC, Chief Ernest Chinwo, gave this assurance when he received in audience a group of NGOs led by Convener, StartupSouth, Mr Uche Aniche, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The General Manager who was represented by the Acting Chairman, Editorial Board/Supervising Editor of The Tide, Nelson Chukwudi, said that the newspaper was aware of its social responsibility to the development of the state, and was working tirelessly to create editorial content to inspire innovative ideas that should drive entrepreneurship and business development opportunities.
He said that it was for this reason that the management created two pages to promote activities of small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs), innovators as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and techprenuers in the state.
Chinwo said that SME/Innovations and ICT pages published every Wednesday provide the needed platform for those in the SMEs and ICTs and tech businesses to reach out to the world through the medium.
According to him, Port Harcourt is one of the largest and fastest growing economic hubs in the country outside Lagos, adding that The Tide Newspaper has remained the only surviving state-owned print media publishing regularly in hard copy and also online.
“It is good you guys are here in Port Harcourt. Outside Lagos, Port Harcourt is the largest and fastest growing business hub in the country, especially in the areas of oil and gas, and ICTs. The newspaper understands the importance of creativity and innovations. This is why we have dedicated two pages to give our young startups and innovators opportunity to showcase their businesses and innovations”, he said.
On the request for media partnership by the group, he assured them of the readiness of the newspaper to synergise with forward-looking business people and agencies to complement government’s efforts to attract investors with a view to upscaling economic development of the state.
“We will be interested in partnering with your organisation so long such collaboration will help move the state to a higher level in terms of economic development. The state government has improved on infrastructure development, and this has enhanced the ease of doing business in the state. We will synergise with your organisation and accommodate your views”, he stated.
Earlier in their various speeches, the Convener, StartupSouth, Mr Uche Aniche, and Executive Director, AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, had said that they were in the office basically to seek for partnership with The Tide as the foremost newspaper outfit in the state, especially in the area of publicity of their activities in the 11 states in the South-South and South-East.
They commended the management of the newspaper for the quality news content that has endeared vast readership to The Tide,adding that they were ready now more than ever before to work with the media to communicate the positive developments in the state to the outside world.
According to them,there organisation would harness the professional tech and innovation community to solve social problems and challenges,adding that they would also promote creativity and innovations among young Rivers people by turning them as wealth creators.
“Here in Rivers State, StartupSouth is doing well but unfortunately,the media is not aware of what we are doing.That is the essence of our visit. We cover South-South and South-East,” Aniche said.
“AfriLabs operates in 52 African countries. We are working together to support young innovators in the state. Through our partners, we plan to build a network of business leaders and entrepreneurs to help push the envelope in economic transformation of the state”, Ekeledo added.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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