Nation

NGE Confab: Nigerians Insist On Proactive Media

Published

11 years ago

August 19, 2013

As the Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference opens Wednesday at the Convention Centre, Okpanam Road, Asaba, the Delta State capital, a cross section of Nigerians has criticized the Nigerian media for abandoning its watchdog function.
Those who spoke to The Tide in an interview yesterday, blamed the media for being part of the crisis in the country.
A Port Harcourt-based social commentator, Pius Dukor, said that the Nigerian media has abandoned its social responsibility role in pursuit of self interest.
“As far as I am concerned, the media is no more an agenda setter. They only tell the story of those who always invite and pay them. They are no longer interested in the affairs of the masses”, he said.
Dukor also stressed the need for Editors to use the forthcoming conference to re-examine the role of the media and what it has done so far in nurturing the nation’s emerging democracy.
A community leader and politician, Chief Sunnie Chukumele, described Editors as vital elements in the society but stressed that they can only be relevant in the face of the current challenges in the country, if they are politically neutral.
Chukumele said that Editors must be people who live above board by refusing to be influenced by anyone in the society.
“The media is a critical segment of the society. Those who are in this sector must be people of integrity, not allowing every little thing to sway them from the truth”, he said.
Another respondent, Prince Fyneface Amaechi, however, blamed the alleged rot in the media on the society.
He said that a society where materialism is the order of the day is bound to be influenced by the media, stressing that every sector of the Nigerian society must be completely re-examined to give way to new value systems.
Prince Amaechi, who is a factional president of the Rivers Youth Movement (RYM), however, commended the Nigerian media for their relentless effort to change the society, and called for improvement in the condition of service for journalists in the country.
Prince William Chinwo, in his view, commended the media for its consistency in the reportage of events despite the challenges, and also charged Editors to use the opportunity provided by the forum to canvass for constitutional recognition of the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, and should be so recognized by the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary as equal stakeholders in the society.
Meanwhile, economic experts, ministers, governors and top businessmen are billed to come up with viable suggestions on how the nation can be weaned from its age-long dependence on crude oil as the major source of its income when editors storm Asaba from August 21 to 24 for their 9th All Nigerian Editors Conference.
The theme of the four-day conference, which will be chaired by renowned veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, is, “Nigeria Beyond Oil: Role of the Editor’’.
Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is expected to set the tone of the conference in a keynote address.
Ministers listed to speak on key issues that are germane to the diversification of the economy are those of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina, who will speak on “The Value Chain Roadmap’’; and Edem Duke,Tourism, “Oil Exhaustible, Tourism Inexhaustible”.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,Access Bank; Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Special Adviser to the President on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye, will deliver papers on “Financial Institutions In a Non-Oil Economy’’, and‘’Opportunities in Non-Oil Nigeria’’, respectively.
Moderators at the high-wire event include top-notch Nigerians, such as the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Eugene Juwah; and a former Editor of the DailyTimes, NDDC chief and former governorship candidate on the ticket of the PDP in
Abia State, Mr. Onyema Ugochukwu.
Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, will be in his elements when he mounts the rostrum to speak as the Special Guest while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who is special guest of honour, is expected to provide some food for thought in his remarks.
Apart from the host Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who will deliver the welcome address, other state governors from the northern and southern parts of the country will be on hand to offer their views on the path the nation should tread in order to shed its prolonged dependence on oil.
Cognisant of the fact that retirement is inevitable after a successful career as a journalist/editor, the guild set aside the last day of the conference for the expected 300 editors to brainstorm on “Life After
The Chair: The Editors’ Colloquium’’, a session to be facilitated by Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Daily Trust, Kabiru Yusuf, and chaired by Mr Ted Iwere, another notable journalist.
There will also be an investiture of new fellows and induction of new members of the Guild at a Gala Night to be organized by the Delta State Government to round off the event.

Nation

NUJ backs proposed strike by Lagos-owned media workers

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.

The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.

In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.

The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.

They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.

The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.

“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.

The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.

“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.

The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.

“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.

The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.

“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.

Nation

New Rivers CP assures of non partisan …moves against human rights violation

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2025

The Tide

The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.

Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.

He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.

“We are committed to transparency.

My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.

“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”

“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.

“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.

“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.

“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.

“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.

“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated

CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.

Akujobi amadi

Nation

Police invites assaulted female victim, assures of protection

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.

A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.

“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”

“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”

“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”

“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”

Akujobi Amadi