By Tina Amanda
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has committed to renovating the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Rivers State press center to promote good governance in the state.
The Governor made this promise during the opening ceremony of the NUJ 2024 Press Week, represented by Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in Port Harcourt.
He emphasized the importance of partnering with the media to advance democracy, noting that the press is crucial for effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends.
He said his administration sees the media as key partners in transforming and mobilizing the citizenry for a better polity.
Sir. Fubara explained that though the media promotes the freedom and rights of citizens, it stresses the need for responsible journalism to sustain the country’s fledgling democracy.
He also enjoined that the workshop on the training of journalists on Casting Headlines, News Editing, Content Creation, and Blogging” should be used to advance professionalism in an era of social media proliferation.
On her part, the Chairman of the occasion, Dame Ibim Semenitari said the theme of the press week:” Media and Sustenance of Democracy: A New Paradigm Shift” is apt with the current challenges facing the nation.
Semenitari, former State Commissioner for Information and Communications recalled that the media played a huge role in the return of democracy in Nigeria, and therefore should preserve and sustain it through ethical and responsible journalism.
“We must work against the proliferation of fake news, quaker, and must not shy away from the key responsibility of investigative journalism,” she said.
Semenitari expressed worry over current happenings and trends while cautioning journalists to be alert in their watchdog role.
Speaking on the theme of the press week,” Media and Sustenance of Democracy: A New Paradigm Shift” Dr. Williams Wodi, said the role of the media has continued to evolve globally with current economic realities.
Dr. Wodi, a former Head of the Public Relations Unit at the University of Port Harcourt opined that this evolving media climate challenges journalists to ensure that democracy is sustained across different climes.
The media expert averred that journalists need to be alive to their social responsibility, and at the same maintain their role to champion the rights of the common people.
He opined that the position of the media as the fourth estate of the realm can only be strengthened when checks on leadership are sustained in such a manner to drive equity and economic power.
“The paradigm shift can only be achieved when there is a balance between the leaders and those led, and this he maintained can be gotten by a virile media.
Earlier, Royal Father of the day, Eze Ejike Wali traditional head of the Mgbuesularu community hailed the NUJ for reviving its press week activities after many years.
Represented by Chief Vincent Nwanwa, the Mgbuesularu monarch stressed the need for synergy between the NUJ and the state government as a path to good governance and development.
Deputy National President of NUJ Zone F, Comrade Opaka Dokubo said one of the benefits of the press week is to create camaraderie among media practitioners.
Dokubo thanked the Rivers State governor for support to the media, as against the past administration.
The NUJ national president said the posture of Fubara’s administration promises a better future for the media and governance.
In his address, State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Stanley Job Stanley said the celebrations provide time for stocktaking and review of activities of media practitioners across the state.
While appreciating the state government for its support of this year’s event, the Rivers State NUJ Chairman made a plea for more support, especially for the renovation of the secretariat and other facilities needed for the effective operations of journalists in the state.
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