Niger Delta

Rivers NUJ Set To Honour Fubara, Distinguished Journalists, Sunday

Published

6 months ago

August 16, 2024

All is now set for the conferment of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council’s awards on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and some distinguished journalists in the State.

The Dinner/Award Night, which holds on Sunday, August 18, at the La Sien Event Centre, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, will climax the one-week NUJ Press Week that began on Tuesday.

Governor Fubara, according to the Chairman of NUJ, Rivers State Council, Comrade Stanley Job Stanley, and Chairman of the Press Week Committee, Comrade Olalekan Ige, will be honoured for his excellent stewardship and peaceful disposition to governance in Rivers State.

Also to be honoured are some distinguished journalists who have made their marks in the field of journalism, and have also brought honour to NUJ in Rivers State.

Speaking with The Tide in a short interview, yesterday, Comrade Stanley said the Union decided to honour the governor not only because of his excellent stewardship in governance, but also because of his peaceful disposition to governance despite provocation and distractions from the opposition.

He also noted that within the last 14 months of Fubara’s administration, he has demonstrated an uncommon friendly disposition to the media.

The NUJ Chairman also disclosed that some distinguished journalists and members of the Union who have excelled in their careers, will also be honoured during the Award Night.

He said the Council thought it wise to recognise some members of its constituency because “charity begins at home.”

According to him, “We can’t be giving awards to outsiders all the time and refuse to recognise our own. The Executive Council of our Union decided to recognise some of its members because we believe they have paid their dues in journalism and they merit the Award. On Sunday, when we will be unveiling the pack of these awardees, you will agree with me that they all merit the honour.”

Also speaking with The Tide, the Chairman of the Press Week Committee, Olalekan Ige, revealed that there are about four categories of the award to be earned on Sunday.

According to him, “awards will be given to distinguished journalists who have consistently, throughout their careers, brought great honour and pride to the NUJ, in addition to rising to the pinnacle of the profession.

“Also, senior journalists who have attained great heights in the media profession and have maintained a high level of excellence will be honoured during the Award Night.”

Ige added that the Union will also honour some past chairmen of the Council for their meritorious service and leadership at various times, while reporters who have consistently demonstrated excellence in news reporting and have brought pride to the NUJ will also be recognised.

The Tide reports that as part of the 2024 Press Week, the Council had earlier, on Wednesday, organised a workshop for its members, during which three resource persons, drawn from its rank, gave incisive lectures on three key areas of journalism.

While the South South Regional Manager of the Business Day, Ignatius Chukwu, gave lecture on “Casting News Headlines”, the Group News Editor of The Tide Newspapers, Boye Salau, delivered lecture on “Ethical Writing and Reporting”.

Another resource person and Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Ann Godwin, focused her lecture on “Blogging and Content Creation for Journalists”.

Boye Salau

Niger Delta

Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo’s Aides Lead Cancer Awareness Walk In Benin … Offers Free Screening

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

In a bid to promote cancer awareness and encourage early detection, officials of Edo State Government, last Thursday held a cancer awareness walk in Benin City.

The walk, led by Sally Suleiman, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was organised in commemoration of World Cancer Day.

The event also brought other health professionals, civil society groups, and residents to emphasise the importance of regular screenings, healthy lifestyles, and early diagnosis in reducing cancer-related deaths.

The notable stakeholders, include the Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office, Mrs. Edesili Anani; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole; and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Marie Bisi Idaomi.

Speaking at the event, Suleiman reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to strengthening healthcare systems and to ensure that cancer awareness reached all corners of the state.

“Cancer remains a major public health challenge, but early detection can save lives.

“This walk is part of our efforts to educate residents on preventive measures and available healthcare services”, she said.

As part of the initiative, she said her office would be offering free mammograms and prostate screenings to encourage early detection.

“We are not just raising awareness; we are taking action. Early detection saves lives, and we want to ensure that more people get screened before it’s too late”, she added.

Suleiman expressed gratitude to all partners and urged continued collaboration in the fight against cancer.

“This is not just a one-day event. We must keep the conversation going and ensure that people have access to the healthcare they need”, she said.