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…Congratulates NGE President, 15 Others

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has congratulated the Editor-In-Chief and Managing Director of New Telegraph, Mrs Funke Egbemode on her election as the President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The governor also congratulated a Director at The Tide Newspapers, Juliet Njiowhor and others who emerged victorious, during the 2017 edition of the NGE Biennial Convention.
Wike urged the NGE President and the new executives to work towards promoting media professionalism, objectivity and development of the country, and wished the NGE President a fruitful term in office.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), late Saturday, inducted no fewer than 57 new members into the elite club of editors in the country.
The new members are the acting Editor, The Tide Newspapers, Donald Mike-Jaja; 18 from News Agency of Nigeria; eight from Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria; three each from Nigerian Television Authority, The Guardian, and New Telegraph newspapers; two each from African Independent Television, Union Newspapers, and Voice of Nigeria; and one apiece from Channels Television, Leadership, Daily Times, SUN, PUNCH and National Mirror, among others.
Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, New Telegraph Newspaper, Mrs Funke Egbemode, was returned unopposed as president, just as two Vice Presidents – East and North – Fred Fabor and Hajia Sani, General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, and Social/Publicity Secretary, Ken Ugbechie, were also returned unopposed at the convention.
Other officers elected include Mr Suleiman Uba Gaya, who scored 97 votes to beat Ali M. Ali (96 votes), and Chooks Oko (69 votes), to emerge deputy president; Mustapha Isah scored 172 votes to beat Bolaji Tunji (78 votes), thereby emerging vice president, Weast.
The post of treasurer went to Ray Echebiri, who garnered 133 votes to defeat Sabastine Abu with 127 votes, just as Mary Atolagbe, retained her position by scoring 128 votes to beat two others – Sam Egbala (99 votes), and Casmir Igbokwe (21 votes).
For the seven Standing Committee positions, Juliet Njiowhor of The Tide warded off oppositions by scoring 140 votes to emerge winner, along with new entrant, Ikpong Essien-Udom, who scored 116 votes, to beat Ken Njoku (112 votes), and Eze Anaba (44 votes) for East, while Ibrahim Mamman and Catherine Agbo beat two others with 132 votes and 125 votes, respectively, to emerge representatives of the North.
Similarly, Austeen Elewodalu, Steve Osuji and Steve Nwosu scored 136, 135 and 127 votes to emerge Standing Committee members for West, beating four others in the keenly contested election.
The election committee led by veteran Journalist, Mr Ray Ekpu, supervised the hitch-free exercise, and declared the officers as winners.
In her acceptance speech, Egbemode said she would work hard to effect positive changes in the guild in two years.
“I regard this election as an investment and I will ensure that this confidence is treated with respect.
“I am truly humbled, lucky because of the numbers of editors that decided that one person is good and nobody should run against me,” she said.
The president assured that she would not disappoint her colleagues because they gave her an uncommon trust.
Inducting the new members during the dinner/gala night to round off the three-day 2017 Biennial Convention of the guild in Lagos, former president of Nigeria Union of Journalists and fellow of the guild, Bonnie Iwuoha, challenged the editors to maintain high level of integrity and discipline in the discharge of the professional duties, especially at this period of recession.

 

Nelson Chukwudi

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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