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Speak Truth To Power, Prof Omotola Tells Journalists
Journalists have been tasked to speak truth to power and hold political office holders accountable to the citizenry to entrench genuine development in Nigeria.Journalists have been
tasked to speak truth to power and hold political office holders accountable to the citizenry to entrench genuine development in Nigeria.
Former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Shola Omotola gave this charge to Press men during his paper presentation at a retreat held by the Senate Press Corps at Al – Vari. Hotel, Keffi , Nasarawa State, last Saturday.
In line with this, most of the public office holders who graced the event pledged to make available any information needed by journalists covering the National Assembly at any time as entrenched in the provisions of Freedom of Information Act .In line with this, most of the public office holders who graced the event pledged to make available any information needed by journalists covering the National Assembly at any time as entrenched in the provisions of Freedom of Information Act .
President of the Senate , Senator Godswill Akpabio , represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal were among dignitaries at the occasion.President of the Senate , Senator Godswill Akpabio , represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal were among dignitaries at the occasion.
Prof Omotola in his paper presentation on “Developmental Impact of the Executive on Nigeria’s Democracy, 1999-2024 “ , said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone , eradication .Prof Omotola in his paper presentation on DevelopmentalImpactoftheExecutiveonNigeria’sDemocracy,1999-2024 , said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone , eradication .
The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments, according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years .The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments, according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years .
The theme of the retreat, Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?”, is, therefore, very apt, timely and cogent. The theme of the retreat, Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?,is,therefore,veryapt,timelyandcogent.
“Democracy and development are inextricably interconnected and must flow together, the very reason why journalists in Nigeria , need to speak truth to power in making it so , in Nigeria .Democracyanddevelopmentareinextricablyinterconnectedandmustflowtogether,theveryreasonwhyjournalistsinNigeria,needtospeaktruthtopowerinmakingitso,inNigeria.
“ Development is basically about the people reaching an acceptable standard of living, having the basic things on which they need to live decently – housing, shelter, clothing, food -nutritionally balanced diet, potable water, clean environment.Developmentisbasicallyaboutthepeoplereachinganacceptablestandardofliving,havingthebasicthingsonwhichtheyneedtolivedecently-housing,shelter,clothing,food-nutritionallybalanceddiet,potablewater,cleanenvironment.
“ All hindrances to these in Nigeria from corruption to bad policies, need to be exposed from time to time by journalists who are the watchdogs of the society”, he said .AllhindrancestotheseinNigeriafromcorruptiontobadpolicies,needtobeexposedfromtimetotimebyjournalistswhoarethewatchdogsofthesociety, he said .
He also urged journalists to ensure credible reportage and shun being roped into biased reports or analysis coming through brown envelopes and gifts He also urged journalists to ensure credible reportage and shun being roped into biased reports or analysis coming through brown envelopes and gifts
He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow .He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow .
In his remarks at the retreat , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , representedby , Senator Yemi Adaramodu , said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act .In his remarks at the retreat , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , representedby , Senator Yemi Adaramodu , said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act .
Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary , Research and Information , Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly , will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage .Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary , Research and Information , Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly , will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage .
However the Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu who represents the host state said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being brother’s keeper . However the Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu who represents the host state said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being brother’s keeper .
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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