Niger Delta
Lawmaker Charges Journalists On Objectivity
Mr Konbowei Benson, new Chairman of House Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, has challenged journalists to be guided by the ethics of the profession,
In a statement in Yenagoa, the lawmaker, who represents Southern Ijaw constituency IV, commended media practitioners in the state for keeping the people abreast with developments in the country.
Benson, however, reminded them that objectivity in news reportage was the hallmark of media practice, just as he admonished reporters to guard against sensationalism in information gathering and dissemination.
He added that accuracy and balance in news reporting were the essentials of professional journalism and reiterated that news reports should reflect all relevant sources and cross-cultural perspectives.
The lawmaker called on media practitioners to be conscious of how they framed the public’s perspective on major stories, just as he reminded them not to incite the public against constituted authority.
According to Benson, it is pertinent to consider the fact that news media now inhabit a radically pluralistic global community where the impact of reports can have far-reaching effects.
“In today’s world, news reports, via satellite or the Internet, reach people around the world and influence the actions of governments, humanitarian agencies and warring ethnic groups,’’ he noted.
The lawmaker reasoned that a major responsibility of media practitioners was to report issues and events in a way that reflects the plurality of views in order to aid different groups understand each other better.
In his argument, Benson posited that biased and parochial media reports could wreak havoc in a tightly linked world.
He recalled that since the birth of modern journalism in the 17th century, journalism has gradually broadened the scope of the people that it claimed to serve, from factions to specific social classes on to the public of nations.
While appraising the value of journalism service, the lawmaker reiterated that journalistic principle of serving the public interest had been understood tacitly or explicitly, as serving one’s own public, social class or nation.
The lawmaker argued that the principles of objectivity, impartiality and editorial independence, were limited by parochial understanding of who journalism actually served.
As according to him, “impartiality means being impartial in your coverage of rival groups within your society”.
On his new position, Benson assured media practitioners in the state of a cordial working relationship.
He, however, expressed the view that media practice with a global perspective was needed to help citizens understand the daunting challenges of poverty, environmental degradation, and technological inequalities.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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