Niger Delta
NGO Urges Journalists To Amplify Success Stories In N’Delta

A non-governmental organisation known as Search for Common Ground has appealed to media practitioners to amplify success stories in the Niger Delta to propel development in the region.
This is as the organisation has also urged Nigerian journalists to avoid spreading fake information that can put the country in danger.
The Head of Office/Programme Implementation of the organisation in the Niger Delta, Yacinthe Agbagadjan, gave the charge on the sidelines of a five-day training programme for journalists in Warri, Delta State, last Monday.
Tagged ‘Common Ground Journalism Training (CGJT)’, the training programme was anchored on community-based approach to curb criminality in the Niger Delta region through responsive reportage.
It was organised by the Community Centred Approach To Transforming Criminality And Violence In Niger Delta, in collaboration with its implementing partners, Foundation Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN) and Academic Associates Peace Works, and funded by the European Union.
Agbagadjan said the organisation’s mission was to ensure that the right information are sent out to the public by media practitioners.
He said, “We want visibility and the right information sent out to the public.
“Peace journalism is reporting what is responsive. All of you are our ambassadors, so avoid any kind of mistake or error in your reportage that would affect the image and reputation of Search for Common Ground. We expect that you communicate more and give visibility on everything that Search for Common Ground is doing in the Niger Delta.
“For this project, we want to work closely with you to increase visibility and the community communication around the project, and as such, expect all the actors, including donors, humanitarian and development partners, to know more about what we are achieving in Niger Delta, the success we are recording and to also learn more about the realities and the context of Niger Delta. It is only then that they can come to form or support or initiate a new project in Niger Delta as well as address all other issues.”
Agbadadjan emphasised that peace building is neither a one-day action nor one-person action, but requires everyone’s positive approach to report responsively.
“We need everybody’s hand to be on deck in peace building, community and criminality prevention.
“Our expectation is to have your full attention, presence, contribution, so that by the end of this training, you should have a better understanding of the activities of Search for Common Ground in the Niger Delta”, he said.
Speaking earlier during the workshop, the Mass Media And Information Management Coordinator of the organisation, Mr Sunny Dada, stated that the training programme was meant to adopt correct community approach of interventionist from bottom-to-top instead of top-to-bottom approach to enable information trickle down to the generality of the people at the grass roots.
Dada noted that a lot of issues such as violence, criminality, including oil bunkering, cultism, piracy, intercommunal conflicts and clashes, among others, were under reported.
He also noted that women and youths in the Niger Delta were not being carried along in peace and development process, adding that despite their systematic marginalization, many women and youths have continued to mobilise for peace and development.
“Search for Common Ground is the major partner and has the objectives to empower diverse community actors to address social exclusion, lack of economic opportunity, and environmental degradation.
“Young women and men, especially at-risk and marginalised youths, will be empowered to make their voices heard in their communities and be resilient to call for violence and criminality”, he said.
On his part, the National Media Specialist for Search For Common Ground, Mr Temisan Etietsola, while discussing on ‘My Identity: Using the Identity Flower’, explained the multiple facets of identity, adding that humans’ identities are complex, but in spite of these complexities, humans share some common analogies.
He said, “Adversarial and collaborative humans naturally are competitive, but we should also try to see that a win-win approach to situation is always good. I’m a winner or loser situation always ends up with one side feeling offended or not satisfied, so ensure you always work towards building trust so that you are able to collaborate with each other better.”
Etietsola advised that no one should see him or herself as an adversary, but should see themselves as allies in building peace to have a conflict-free society.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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