News
2023: Interrogate Leadership Recruitment Process, Nsirim Tasks Media
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has tasked journalists to see the build ups to the 2023 general election as a viable opportunity for the media to interrogate the leadership recruitment process of the country.
The commissioner stressed that the time has come for the media to thoroughly examine those who aspire to leadership positions, what their credentials are, with a view to projecting those credentials to the voting populace for them to make their choice.
Nsirim, who was speaking at South-South Town Hall Meeting of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Port Harcourt, yesterday, emphasised that as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, journalists must no longer hide under the cover of societal challenges and allow Nigeria remain in doldrums.
The theme of the Town Hall Meeting is, “Agenda Setting for Sustainable Democratic Culture”.
Nsirim said, “I always call our attention to the fact that as a people, we have lost our value, the values of honesty, hardwork and integrity are lost. So, this is the society where the media should be operating to set agenda.
“We must stand firm at this political season to show the political gladiators that we have the professional competence to project issue based campaigns and not campaigns of calumny, because we fall prey when we allow such campaigns to flood the channels.
“Nigeria is at crossroads and we are looking for those who will bring us out of the doldrums. Therefore, we must promote issue based campaigns in this season,” he said.
He restated that the country has been divided along ethnic and religious lines, adding that it was the media that should set the agenda for a united Nigeria again.
“Let me underscore the fact that this country is divided and it is the media that will bring about a united Nigeria. We must take that as a responsibility as we match into 2023.
“The time has come for journalists to refuse to be dumping ground for politicians. It is sad today to see the volume of libellous publications flood our print and broadcast media platforms because we have refused to be professional. Anything goes, and when anything goes, society will be the worst for it,” he said.
Nsirim also charged the media to rise up to the challenges of increasing level of savagery in the country by educating the people that as humans nobody deserves to be slaughtered.
“The Nigerians slaughter themselves as if they are slaughtering cows. How did we get here? When did we lose our sense of humanity?
“The media need to play a role here. We must begin to tell our people that we are all humans. Nobody deserves to be slaughtered like a cow,” he said.
He said the missing link has been that those who promote this violence somehow are protected by the Nigerian society.
“We all must rise up to say no to savagery. I feel a lot of pain when I watch some of this things and it is something that should give us concern as media people.
“Somebody said recently, that journalists write history, but let us remember that history will also write us. And that should be a food for thought for all of us,” he cautioned.
He expressed hope that with its abundant potentials, Nigeria will still evolve a better country. “Galvanising these potentials, we can beat those who are the naysayers and build the Nigeria of our dream.”
He welcomed participants to the new Rivers State where Governor Nyesom Wike’s governance style has shown a new touch in terms of infrastructural development and leadership.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Mustapha Isah, said the Town Hall meeting was organised to fashion a direction for journalists and the media to assess media performance in consolidating Nigeria’s democracy, aggregate citizens’ verdict and set agenda for the future.
Isah disclosed that the conference would further reignite the flame of the sense of responsibility of the editors in the discharge of their duties, and moreso, within the ambience of ethical standards.
He stated that the conference was aimed at scrutinising the performance of the media in consolidating Nigeria’s democracy as well as setting agenda for the future.
He said “the town hall meeting will provide an uncommon platform for media stakeholders to undertake self-introspection and also begin a conversation on a framework for media regulation, which will not only have their buy-in, but also improve the standard for media practice in Nigeria – thereby reducing, if not eliminate, incidents of sub-standard and unprofessional reportage in the Nigerian media”.
The guild president expressed hopes that the roundtable with stakeholders across the different segments of the Nigerian society including top government officials, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), traditional/religious leaders, renowned scholars, leaders of ethnic nationalities, civil society organisations among others would be an example to other regional countries in terms of ethical and professional reportage in their democratic dispensations.
“Such conversations and hopefully eventual adoption of self-regulatory framework could also have a regional spin-off whereby countries within the region, and indeed Africa, could be encouraged to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian example, as was the case with the adoption of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria subsequently having a positive spin-off in Ghana”, they said.
He condemned a situation where governors who have no appreciable records of performance in their states put themselves forward to be elected into higher positions.
“A free and critical press is essential for the growth and development of any democracy.
“A free press is important in a democratic society for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“An independentand free press is always a threat to dictators, corrupt elements, impunity by government and anti-democratic characters. Little wonder that all over the world, dictatorship begins with a clampdown on the media”, he added.
According to him, “Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution says, the press, radio, television, and other agencies of the media should at all times be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people”, noting that this section gives the media the enormous responsibility to hold the government accountable to the people.
The president challenged members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to sincerely discharge their duties as well as hold government accountable in any area they find themselves, arguing that their performance in that area has been questionable.
“Can we beat our chests and say we have carried out this role effectively?
“The Town Hall Meeting is expected to assess performance of the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm as well as suggest ways for improvement”, he said.
The NGE boss urged the various stakeholders, including youth groups, organised labour, students, civil society organisations, traditional and religious groups, invited to the Town Hall meeting to feel free to identify areas where the media has done well as well as areas that need improvement.
“This is the sixth and the last leg in the series with the first five held in Lagos, Kano,Yola, Abuja and Enugu under the NGE/US Embassy capacity building programme for editors in the South-West, North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-East, and South-South”, he said.
Also speaking, Information Official/Press Attaché of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Jeanne Clark, said everyone has roles and responsibilities to promote transparency and good governance in the country.
Clark advised the media to hold politicians accountable, saying that as the 2023 general election draws closer, the media must work hard to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
She regretted that some countries are currently witnessing a decline in press freedom, and urged the media practitioners in the country to fight for their freedom to practise.
“The media should take positive steps in favour of transparency”, she said.
A fellow of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr Tony Iyare, described the proposed Lagos-Calabarrail line as vital to the economy of Nigeria.
Speaking as lead presenter, Iyare said the project, when completed, would link all the ports from Lagos in the South-West to Calabar in the South-South.
He said the project would open up many rural communities for development as well as create thousands of job opportunities for the country.
The Editor, who described the railway as a unifying industry, charged the media to continue to push the government for railway development in the country.
He said the rush to obtain forms for the presidency has reduced the office to ridicule, and called for the inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in governance.
Iyare said the present administration has done so much to divide the county along ethnic and religious lines,noting that Nigeria must not be allowed to blow out as the consequences would be too much for the African continent.
Also speaking, the spokesperson of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Mr Ken Robinson, charged the media to live up to expectations by holding politicians accountable for their promises.
He also commended the NGE for the programme.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu, John Bibor & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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