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Wike, Nsirim, NGE, Others Mourn The Tide Editor
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has conveyed the condolences of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to the management and staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation over the death of the Acting Editor (Daily) of The Tide, Mrs. Juliet Njiowhor, whose demise occurred, last Saturday.
Accompanied by principal officers of the ministry on a condolence visit to the corporation, yesterday, Nsirim described Mrs. Njiowhor’s death as a big blow to the ministry and the corporation.
“We have lost somebody whose sterling qualities as a professional stood her out both here and outside the state. For me, I have lost a friend. It is really heart-breaking,” he said.
The commissioner extolled the good qualities of Mrs. Njiowhor, adding that the event of her death should be a moment of sober reflection for the living.
“We should use the moment to reflect on our lives as individuals on the kind of legacy we leave behind.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that Julie put in her best as Editor of The Tide, I know some moments when I called her in the wee hours of the day, she was on production.
“Somebody who had a family and putting in her best for the newspaper thrice a week really speaks a lot about her sense of industry and commitment to serve Rivers State,” he said.
Nsirim, therefore, charged the editorial team of the corporation to ensure that her legacies of professionalism and hard work were built upon.
He commended the management for doing its best to keep the newspaper afloat within available resources.
He urged members of management to work collaboratively to maintain the brand image, brand identity and quality of The Tide which has stood out as the only surviving state-owned newspaper in the country.
Responding, the General Manager of the corporation, Chief Earnest Chinwo thanked the commissioner for the visit, and described the demise of Mrs. Njiowhor as a loss that was unexpected and devastating.
He, however, assured the commissioner that the management would do its best to maintain, if possible, surpass the standard the late Editor had set.
Similarly, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has expressed shock over the sudden death of the Acting Editor of The Tide, Mrs. Juliet Njiowhor.
Nsirim, who led principal officers of the ministry on a condolence visit to the family residence in Port Harcourt, last Monday, described the demise of Mrs. Njiowhor as incomprehensible.
He described the deceased as a dependable ally and a good friend.
According to him, “Up till now, I cannot comprehend the fact that Julie is no more. In a situation like this, what do we do? We cannot question God.
“We have lost a very courageous and prolific writer. Julie was one of our best hands in the media industry here in Rivers State, even at the level of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. She stood out among the Committee of Editors across the comity,” he said.
The commissioner expressed the grief of the ministry, and thanked God that she left behind good character and professional competence that could be attested to by those she left behind.
He promised the ministry’s readiness to join hands with the family to ensure a befitting burial for the departed.
In his response, the widower of the deceased, Sir Promise Njiowhor thanked the commissioner for coming to identify with the family at their time of grief.
He described the death of his wife as a shock that came at the wrong time.
He said the family would establish a foundation in her name to mark the first anniversary of her death to immortalise her for the desire she had for the Journalism profession.
In the same token, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) expressed shock and disbelief over the death of the Editor of the Port Harcourt-based, The Tide Newspaper, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor.
Mrs Njiowhor died on Saturday after a brief illness.
A statement signed by the President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah, explained that Mrs Njiowhor “was a two-term Standing Committee Member representing the Eastern Zone.
“She was at the 2021 NGE Convention in Kano where she contested for the position of Treasurer.
“Mrs Njiowhor’s death has robbed the Guild of a committed member who never missed any of its events since joining the organisation.
“Her death came shortly after that of our former Deputy President, Elder Esinjo Oqua Itu, in Calabar.
“The Guild takes solace in the fact that Mrs Njiowhor served humanity with diligence in her sojourn here on Earth.
“We extend our condolences to her husband and children as well as the management and staff of The Tide Newspaper and the people and Government of Rivers State.
“May her soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.
“A condolence register has been opened at the Editors’ House, No 24, Mojidi Street, Ikeja for Mrs Njiowhor,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the management and staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide Newspapers, have been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Mrs Juliet Njiowhor.
Mrs Njiowhor was before her death, which occurred on Saturday, August 21, 2021, the Editor of The Tide Newspapers.
It would be recalled that before her appointment last year as the Acting Editor of The Tide, Njiowhor was Director, Publications of the corporation.
She had earlier served as Woman Editor and Midweek Editor of the newspaper.
At the union level, the deceased also served as a former chairman of The Tide Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), an active member of the Rivers State Council of the union, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editor (NGE), and a strong member of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
Meanwhile, the management of the Rivers State Newspapers Corporation has described the death of the Acting Editor of The Tide Newspaper, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor, as a big shock.
The General Manager of the corporation, Chief Ernest Chinwo said this when he led other members of management and executive of the three industrial unions in the corporation on a condolence visit to her family in Port Harcourt.
Chinwo said the entire staff was shocked by the incident, adding that the vacuum created by the sudden demise of the late Editor will be difficult to fill.
The general manager, however, urged the husband, Sir Promise Njiowhor, not to allow the sudden death of his wife to affect the family.
He urged him to play the role as a father by handling the situation as a man and head of the family in this fragile situation.
Responding, Sir Promise Njiowhor thanked the management for the visit, adding that the death of his wife has dealt a devastating blow to the family.
He also said the family was considering burying the deceased this weekend, but added that details of the burial would be made public soon.
However, The Tide Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that the death of Mrs Juliet Njiowhor came as a rude shock to The Tide NUJ family.
A statement by Chairman of the chapel, Akujobi Amadi, said their departed colleague was a mother to all.
“She was a mother to all of us and will be missed by all.
“Very caring, loving and supportive, she was a source of strength in the union,” he added.
By: John Bibor & Kevin Nengia
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.