News
Nsirim Urges Journalists To Uphold Fairness, Objectivity
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has charged journalists to always uphold the tenets of the profession in the discharge of their responsibilities to society.
The commissioner gave the charge while delivering a sermon at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Chief Joe Ezuma, a member of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council in Port Harcout, yesterday.
Quoting from the Bible book of Revelation chapter 14 verse 13, Nsirim reminded journalists to understand that the work they do is a sacred assignment of God and requires diligence and commitment to ensure fairness, objectivity and balance that will leave a good legacy.
“I will underscore this point especially for us as journalists, God has given us a sacred assignment. In all that you do you are writing history but those things you put on air, on paper will also judge you tomorrow.
“Are you a blackmailer, do you collect bribe, are you interested in pulling down people, are you part of those that jettison objectivity and fairness in your practice of the profession? You have been writing history, history will write you someday,” he said.
Nsirim described the deceased as a jolly good fellow who was forthright and wasn’t pretentious in his dealings and so admonished all present to emulate his lifestyle.
“Joe was a jolly good fellow, very forthright. A man you would know where he stands on an issue, he was not pretentious. People will say something before you then behind you they say something else, Joe wasn’t that kind of journalist and it is good to live that kind of life”.
He called on journalists to have a sober reflection of their lives as no one knows when and how they will be called home by God.
He urged everyone to put aside hatred and discord and follow peace with one another together.
“It is important that as we mourn brother Joe Ezuma, we should reflect on what God is saying in the book of Revelation 14:13. When we come for meetings like this, it is a moment for sober reflection.
“Nobody knows when the bell will toll, so in our relationship with one another we must ensure we don’t fan ambers of hatred and discord.
“Beyond material investments, what kind of life are you living. If you die today will you be blessed? Will your soul find rest? Will your works follow you? There is a reward for dying in the Lord”, he said.
He urged everyone to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ so that they could render service acceptable to God and man, and leave a worthy legacy for posterity.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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