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Rivers

NUJ President Warns Journalists Against Adopting Unfair Methods

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President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo, has advised journalists in Rivers State to refrain from adopting unfair methods to tell their stories.
Isiguzo gave the advice during a one-day workshop on Digital Journalism And Fact-Checking in Port Harcourt, recently.
The workshop was organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Speaking on the topic: ‘Journalism Ethics in an Era of Global Information Disorder’ Isiguzo emphasised that every organisation has its own set of rules and regulations binding on its members that stipulate things that they should do and should not do.
He regretted that due to the prevailing situation In the country, there was a clear disorder in the system which seems to have thrown overboard the ethics of the journalism profession as a result of social media influencers.
Isiguzo stressed that journalists ordinarily are expected to dish out the truth to the people instead of joining the bandwagon, charging them to have respect for the truth and the rights of the public to the truth.
“If you are a journalist and everytime what you dish out does not represent the truth then you are not doing journalism. The proper responsibility of a journalist is that he/she must know the truth and you must dish out the truth. The people’s right is to know the truth as such truth should not be thrown overboard, but must be respected at all time and the rights of the public to the truth”, he said.
The NUJ boss, while explaining what fake news is, warned journalists to be mindful of what happens in their environment in the cause of discharging their responsibility, enjoining them to avoid misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and propaganda as these are capable of turning them against their environment.
He raised some concerns that often times journalists failed to abide by the rules of the profession.
According to him, “Journalists shall use only fair methods to obtain images, information, documents, data and he/she would always report his/her status as a journalist and will refrain from using hidden recordings of images and sounds except where it is impossible for he/her to collect information that is overwhelmingly in the public interest. You are not allowed to use unfair methods”.
He also warned journalists against using inciting words in their stories, saying when journalists ensure the dissemination of information opinion does not contribute to hatred or prejudice, the information you are turning out is not such that is going to pitch people tribes against each other, you don’t report along primordial consideration, religion , ethnicity tribal, partisanship, that is not what you should be doing as a journalist.
On his part, the Director General, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, listed some challenges facing the Nigeria journalists.
Kashifu, who was represented by the Head of Corporate Affairs of External Relations, Department, NITDA, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, stated that unregulated social media, fake news and toxic contents still top the list.
He noted that, “The digital era has also come with its challenges. One of which is the overbearing presence of of the social media. Of course, the unregulated social media is a free market place where everything goes including fake news, toxic content, hateful and inciting narratives. These are prevalent because there are no gatekeepers or regulators to direct.”
Rivers Holds 2023 Public Service Thanksgiving/Dedication Service Today
The Rivers State Government will today hold the 2023 edition of the Public Service Thanksgiving and dedication Service.
The service, with the theme, “A New Dawn”, is billed to hold by 9am in the State Ministry of Justice Conference hall, State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt.
A memo signed by Dr. Inyingi S. I. Brown, the Director, Service Welfare, for the Head of Services, states that the meeting is restricted to identied cadre of officers.
“I am further directed to add that the Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is restricted to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, General Managers of Government owned corporations, staff on the Directorate cadre, and Department Heads”, the memo stated.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Rivers

Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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