Politics
2023: Ensure Safety Of Journalists, NUJ Urges FG
Security operatives in the country have been urged to ensure safety of journalists on election duties towards the success of the 2023 polls.
The President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, gave the charge while briefing journalists on the outcome of the National Executive Council meeting held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The NUJ president also called on state governments across the country to provide a level playing field for all political parties by giving equal opportunities and access to public facilities for campaigns.
While condemning the recent spate of attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in different parts of the country, the union leader urged the security agencies to arrest the ugly situation by taking pro-active precautionary measures and apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators.
“The outcome of the 2023 general elections is very crucial to the welfare and wellbeing of the country and its citizens, therefore no effort should be spared to ensure the success of the exercise and the protection of our nascent democracy”, he said.
He disclosed that the union had set in motion a series of training programs for journalists on conflict sensitivity to adequately equip reporters to effectively deliver on their mandate as one of the critical stakeholders in the electoral process.
The NUJ President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) for partnering the union in this regard, adding no fewer than 2000 journalists are expected to benefit from the scheduled training programs before the elections next year.
Comrade Isiguzo who is also the President of the Conference of African Journalists (CAJ), pledged the commitment of Nigerian journalists to the entrenchment of democracy in the country and urged politicians to play by the rules of the game.
While advising journalists to be professional and avoid being part of the channels of the dissemination of fake news and hate speeches, he cautioned politicians to tone down their unwholesome rhetorics by engaging on issues based campaigns rather than mudslinging and character assassination.
He described as unacceptable the rising cases of electoral violence even before the elections proper and entreated the security agencies to quickly swing into action and nip evil development in the bud.
Furthermore, the number one journalist in the country said that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union frowned on the engagement of non professionals as spokespersons and strongly advised that only registered practicing journalists should be appointed as Commissioners of Information, Chief Press Secretaries, Press Secretaries and Publicity Secretaries of governments, ministries, agencies, departments and political parties.
By: Opaka Dokubo
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby