News
Fubara Pledges Support For Journalists, Receives Champion Of Peace Award …As The Tide Shines At Rivers NUJ Award Night
Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, has reiterated his support for journalists in the State.
The governor made this pledge on Sunday while receiving the ‘Champion of Peace Award’ at an Award Night organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, to mark the end of its week-long Press Week celebrations.
The award was bestowed on the governor by the Council for his peaceful disposition and demeanour, and quest to deliver democracy dividends despite present political challenges in the State.
Fubara, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, described the award as a motivation to deliver more democracy dividends to the people of the State.
He described the Press as partners in progress and assured that his administration is always ready to work with the media for the betterment of the State.
On his part, President of the NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the State Government and the media, and urged the governor to sustain the tempo.
Isiguzo also used the event to call on the Federal Government to ensure that the rights of journalists are always protected, as he frowned at the treatment meted out to newsmen during the recent #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
According to him, the Nigeria Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and rights of journalists to their duties.
Chairman of NUJ, Rivers State Council, Comrade Stanley Job Stanley, thanked Governor Fubara for his support towards the successful hosting of the Press Week, and expressed hope for better relationship with the Union in the future.
Meanwhile, The Tide Newspapers, published by the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC) has emerged top winner at the 2024 NUJ Award ceremony in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Out of 47 distinguished journalists recognised during the award, The Tide took home over 10 awards, showcasing its excellence in journalism.
Six senior editors from The Tide received Special Recognition Awards, while two others bagged Meritorious Service and Reporters Awards, respectively. Notable awardees include RSNC’s General Manager, Chief Ernest Chinwo; The Acting Editor of The Tide, Reward Akwu; former Acting Chairman of The Tide Editorial Board, who is now the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Nelson Chukwudi; Group News Editor, Boye Salau, and Group Sports Editor, Gabriel Nwanetanya.
Other recipients of Special Recognition Awards include former NUJ secretaries, media executives, and senior journalists from various organisations. These include The Business Editor, Soibi Max-Alalibo, and the incumbent NUJ Secretary, Ike Wigodo, who retired from The Tide a few months ago.
The remaining 10 awardees in the Special Recognition Award category emerged from eight other media outfits. The recipients include two former NUJ secretaries in the State, Mr. Samuel Iyoyo, and Tamunoisela Toby; the General Manager of the Rivers State Television (RSTV), Fengecy Onisoya; Business Manager of Super FM, Pastor Segun Owolabi; Publisher of The Gist Newspaper, Mrs Sotonye Toby Fulton; South South Bureau Chief of The Guardian, Mrs Ann Godwin, and Head of News, Rhythm 93.7FM, Clem Ofuokwu.
Others are the Deputy National President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and senior editor with the RSTV, Dr (Mrs) Lilian Okonkwo-Ogabu; former senior correspondent with The Nation Newspapers, Mrs Clarice Azutalam; and Baridorn Sika of the Radio Rivers.
The Tide also excelled in the Meritorious Service Award category, which was reserved for past chairmen of the State Council of NUJ, with former General Manager, Elder Vincent Ake, and Political Editor and Vice President, NUJ Zone F, Opaka Dokubo, receiving honours.
Five others in this category include the first chairman of NUJ, Rivers State Council, Chief Wofuru Oparaolu; Chief Bobo Brown, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Omoni Ayo-Tamuno and the incumbent chairman of the Council, Stanley Job Stanley.
In the Reporters Award category, The Tide’s John Bibor was among 12 recipients, alongside journalists from other media outlets. The 11 others include Peter Abaje of AIT, Dr. Ijeoma Tubosia of Radio Rivers, Obiandu Madume of RSTV, Anayo Onukwugha of Leadership Newspapers, Allwell Ene of Megaletric, and Rachael Ramson of Rhythm 93.7FM.
Other reporters awardees are Okechukwu Gabriel of Treasure FM, Wariso Wariso of Independent Monitor, Paul Bazia of the State Ministry of Information and Communications, Doris Dogini Nwankwo of the Federal Ministry of Information, and Stephen Momoh of TVC who received Reporters Award in Video.
Additionally, two former General Managers and two former editors of the RSNC received Lifetime Achievement Awards, along with seven other veteran journalists. They are: former Chief Executive Officer/Editor-In-Chief of the RSNC, Mr. Dagogo Ezekiel-Hart; former RSNC General Manager, Mr. Celestine Ogolo; former editor of The Weekend Tide who retired as a Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service, Ms Kadilo Brown, and another former editor of The Tide, who is currently serving as Permanent Secretary (Cabinet), Mr Hamilton Amadi.
Also in this category are three former Commissioners for Information and Communications in Rivers State – Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Dame Ibim Semenitari, and Pastor Paulinus Nsirim.
Other recipients are former President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Scholarship Board, Sir Honour Sirawoo; Regional Manager of Business Day, Elder Ignatius Chukwu; Publisher of National Network, Pastor Jerry Needam, and Mr Blessing Wikina, who was former Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
The Posthumous Meritorious Service Award went to the former General Manager of the RSNC, Late Augustine Nwikinaka; Late Karibo Botoye, Late Ndagene Akwu and Late Paul Alozie who, at various times in their lifetime, served as chairmen of the NUJ, Rivers State Council.
The Tide also had a good outing in the Posthumous Special Recognition Award category, with two former editors of The Tide, Late Soye Jamabo and Late Juliet Njiowhor among the five recipients. The three other awardees are late Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of The Beacon Newspaper, Minere Amakiri; late Publisher of the Independent Monitor, Evans Osi, and former chairman of NAWOJ in Rivers State, Late Uche Atuzie.
Speaking with The Tide, shortly after the event yesterday, the Chairman of the Press Week Committee, Olalekan Ige, explained that the 11 distinguished journalists who received the Lifetime Achievement Award “have consistently, throughout their careers, brought great honour and pride to the NUJ, in addition to rising to the pinnacle of the profession.
Ige also stated that those given the Special Recognition Award are “senior journalists who have attained great heights in the media profession and have maintained a high level of excellence in journalism.”
He added that NUJ also decided to honour some past chairmen of the Council for their meritorious service and leadership at various times, while reporters who have consistently demonstrated excellence in news reporting and have brought pride to the NUJ were also recognised.
Boye Salau & Kevin Nengia
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
0:0
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.