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Tears Of Nostalgia …As The Tide Tells 40Yr Story
The ominous signs of a very tiresome jet-lag were painted all over her usually adorable personality. Just back from an official trip outside the shores of Nigeria, moving force of the Greater Port Harcourt development Project, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam should naturally have driven straight home into the warm embrace of loved ones and family.
Instead her first stop in the city became the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, venue of The Tide’s 40th Anniversary Gala/Awards Nite, convinced that it was the right thing to do. Her encouraging remarks thereafter, her retrospection into what informed the establishment of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the then Nigerian Tide (The Tide) by the Diete-Spiff administration 40 years ago and her clarion call to the people and government of the state never to let the newspaper die, as did all others born at the same time like it, betrayed a rare display of patriotism and true love for everything Rivers.
Like Cookey-Gam, the House of Representatives member for Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Prince Ogbonna Nwuke, drove to the programme straight from the Port Harcourt International Airport, after unavoidable flight delays from the capital city. Nwuke arrived in time to assume his role as chairman of the occasion.
The duo made a strong statement with their exceptional sacrifice: That true charity begins at home not abroad, and that rather than scamper for patronage of many other media of communication, Rivers people must reason that no one else can love them or champion their cause better than themselves, which to them, The Tide has represented in 40 years and still does today.
Theirs was an emotion soaket reappraisal of the thrills and travails of the state’s newspaper and to highlight the need for all to stand by The Tide if it must make the much desired difference.
Rivers State’s Information and Communications Commissioner, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who stood in for Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi brought warm felicitations from her boss, whom, she explained would have loved to be physically present but could not due to pressing national engagements.
But the one man who actually raised the ante in the crusade to inspire Rivers people to learn to love and protect their own treasures, was the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Frankln Ilerum who virtually held back tears while on memory lane. He recalled the past Civil War scenario which presented the need for an identity, a voice for the government of the people of Rivers State and indeed a viable channel to educate, inform and socially engineer the people towards properly appreciating government’s plans, projects and actions, saying, the same challenges that informed the establishment of The Tide 40 years ago, still persist to this day.
Those years still exist and so he said, it will be unwise to think that anyone could let The Tide die,” Ilerum said in a brief remark at the occasion.
The trio of Cookey-Gam, Nwuke and Ilerum thus, became the metaphor of the manner of guests list that honoured The Tide with their distinguished presence. On the faces of virtually every well-meaning Rivers indigene of note in attendance would be pictured some passion, love and patriotism of state’s creation grounded in the need to help The Tide live and not die like several others like it.
In his lecture earlier in the day, seasoned journalist and former Editor-In-Chief of the Newswatch Magazine, Mr Ray Ekpu, had traced the evolution of the press from Iwe-Irohim, the first newspaper ever to be published in Nigeria to date and said that The Tide is still on the news stand is a great achievement which deserves celebration and total support from the government and people of the state.
Titled, “The Print Media: The Way Forward”, Ekpu recalled, “At independence, the three regional governments North, East and West felt the need to set-up newspapers of their own. In 1960, the Eastern Nigerian Government upgraded its Eastern Nigeria Outlook into a daily and renamed it the Nigerian Outlook. In 1961, the Federal Government set-up its own paper, the Morning Post. Three years later, the Western Nigerian Government, established The Daily Sketch and just before the January 15, 1966 Coup, the Northern Nigerian Government set-up the New Nigeria.
“As states were created, he further said, more state owned newspapers sprang up.” Ekpo listed the Nigerian Observer in Bendel State, Triumph in Kano, Renaissance in East Central State, Nigerian Standard in Benue Plateau, Chronicle in South Eastern State,” and then The Pointer in Delta, Eko Today in Lagos, Statesman in Imo, The Nigerian Tide in Rivers, the Ambassador in Abia, The Pointer in Akwa Ibom, Hope in Ondo, Bench Mark in Ekiti, The Voice in Benue, Herald in Kwara, Legacy in Zamfara, Trumpeter in Bauchi, Newsline in Niger, The Path in Sokoto, National Light in Anambra and Daily Star in Enugu.
Today, The Tide remains the only vibrant state-owned newspaper on the news stands and being published in colour and in fact now read on the world wide web up till today.
State owned publications, several other private newspapers went the way of their public kind.
“Today,’ Ekpu said, ‘you cannot find at the newsstand such private newspapers as Prime People, Vintage People, Crown Prince, Mr Quality, Akpa’s “Choice, Classique, Thisweek, Viva, President, Newbreed, Finanial Post, Nigerian Economist, Democrat, Today, The Third Eye, The Post Express, Daily Sketch, TNT, Hotline, Citizen, TSM, Sentinel, The Reporter, National Concorde, African Concorde, African Guardian, The Satelite, The Trumpet, Searchlight, The Eagle, The Horn, Daily News, The Outlook, The Sunray, National Post, Guardian Express, etc.
“The universal truth is that for any newspaper, private or public, to survive it must be well capitalized and must be run along professional, commercial lines, and with a keen eye on the bottomline.”
Amidst what former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Jakande, once identified as reasons for newspaper deaths, non-capitalisation by owners, undue interference and poor advert support, Ekpu congratulated The Tide newspaper “for remaining a solitary beacon among state-owned newspapers. “It came, saw and slaughtered the ghost of infant mortality,” Ekpu enthused and cautioned, that next few years will be no less challenging but everyone expects you to rise majestically to that challenge as you have done these past 40 years.
Simply, Ekpu said The Tide requires all the support it can get to tarry on, exactly the same sentiment the trio of Cookey-Gam, Nwuke and Ilerum highlighted, in their separate speeches rather than scamper for and waste huge resources to build other media through lavish advert placements and expect the state’s own media to continue to source water from the rock.
Some Rivers people also believe that it amounts to a status symbol to appear on pages of newspapers published outside the state, while viewing the state’s paper as local, a tacit confession by that minority that charity begins or ought to begin abroad, not at home.
First launched in Lagos December 1, 1971 and established by the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation Edict No 11 of 1971, The Tide has been on circulation since then in spite of daunting challenges of terminal kind, the same that accounted for the death of countless other public and private newspapers in the land.
That The Tide still flows is a testament of the resilience, hardwork, focus, never-say-die spirit and industry of the staff and management on one hand and the support of successive governments on the other, as surmised by the General Manager, Celestine Ogolo, on his welcome address to the lecture session on the weeklong anniversary, which started with a workers’ parliament last Wednesday, November 30, 2011 and peaked with the thanksgiving at the Christ Church Interdenominational, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
My Agony is that many are either consciously or unconsciously encouraging bad press, by demonstrating that a medium is indeed alive only when it thrives in blackmails and criticizes it as total write-off, if for the sole purpose of protecting the government and people of Rivers State it adopts developmental journalism as distinct from its yellow opposite.
Another is the rule, ‘Charity Begins Abroad’, nay home. But my joy is that such minds are a very small minority.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.