The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS plans to create a MEDIA VILLAGE where all state-owned media houses will be located.
Office spaces, technical, power, other operational facilities and staff quarters are to be part of the ambitious project.
The large expanse of land at the Elelenwo transmission stations of both RSTV and Radio Rivers, is being proposed for this laudable project.
This hint was dropped in Port Harcourt on Wednesday by the Rivers State Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, while playing host to the leadership of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
According to the Honourable Commissioner; “The purpose of this move is to minimize the cost of operations of the outfits, increase efficiency and optimize the utilization of facilities through colocation as well as build synergy for effective performance, while creating some economic, social and commercial benefits, especially for people of the area where the activities of the proposed media hub shall be sited in particular, and people of the state in general.”
He thanked the NUJ, Rivers State Council on behalf of the state government for identifying with Sir Siminalayi Fubara-led nascent administration.
The Honourable Commissioner noted that fierce war has been raging in the media against Governor Siminalayi Fubara for some time, and charged members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to be professional to accurately situate the unfolding development the way it is for posterity.
He informed that the Governor Siminalayi Fubara loves journalists, pointing out that the state Chief Executive is open to a robust, cordial working relationship with media practitioners.
To buttress his point, he cited the governor’s swift response to the recent requests from the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), when they were preparing for their recent national conference/election, where Dr. Lillian Okonkwo-Okagu was reelected as National Vice President.
Ditto to those of the South-South Zonal leadership of the NUJ, as well as the Federated Correspondent Chapel.
Warisenibo Joseph Johnson also said that his recent familiarization visits to Government-owned media houses and others is aimed at building better working relationship with the media in order to promote a healthy government-media partnership.
He used the opportunity to disclose that plans have been concluded for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to hold a media parley with journalists soon, to interact with them as partners-in-progress.
“To this end, the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS is determined to make a clear departure from the past dispensation, when they (media practitioners) were unfairly treated, by ensuring that the media play critical roles in the government’s pragmatic development agenda.”
He declared that the NUJ needs proper support to serve its preeminent leadership role as the galvanizing force in the media space.
Johnson noted that the recent upward review of salaries of civil servants in the state, among other people-oriented policies initiated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara are clear indications of realistic commitment of the governor to change the fortune of Rivers people and those resident and doing business in the state, which according to him, will ultimately become visible to all at the end of the day.
He therefore enjoined all and sundry to join hands with the state government to build a better Rivers State.
Commenting on the ongoing political imbroglio in the state, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson said that; “We are not in any kind of INTER-ETHNIC debacle. Therefore, no ethnic sentiment should be introduced into our system.”
Earlier in his speech, Chairman, NUJ Rivers State Council, Stanley Job Stanley who led the delegation, congratulated Warisenibo Joseph Johnson on his appointment into the Rivers State Executive Council by Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the Chief Information Manager of the state, describing it as well deserved.
He commended the Commissioner for continuing in fraternizing with the NUJ, even after his appointment as a Commissioner, noting that Warisenibo Joseph Johnson is indeed a good member of the NUJ family.
The NUJ Chairman also applauded the information and Communications Commissioner for his swift action in visiting government-owned media houses to ascertain their state/condition, with the aim of addressing their challenges for efficient and optimal performance.
He also conveyed NUJ’s appreciation to the state government for the support extended to the state chapter of NAWOJ during preparations for their recent national conference at Abuja, and formally informed the Honourable Commissioner that Dr. Lillian Okonkwo-Okagu was reelected as the National Vice President of NAWOJ.
Stanley Job Stanley told the commissioner that the NUJ wants the government’s support for the hosting of NUJ’s Press Week, which he said had not seen the light of the day for a long time.
In addition, he stressed the need for the rehabilitation of the NUJ Secretariat, and sought the state government’s assistance/intervention to achieve that goal.
Finally, the NUJ leader requested for a courtesy visit of the NUJ leaders to the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. This, according to him, is to rub minds with him with a view to finding a common ground for collaboration, exchange of ideas, support and partnership.
The NUJ Chairman disclosed sadly that all efforts by the body to have an audience with the immediate past governor of the state and current FCT Minister, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike failed through out his stay in office.
He expressed the hope that things will not be the same in the present dispensation.
The NUJ delegation was made up of the state Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, Vice Chairman, Okechukwu Maru, Secretary, Ike Wigodo and Treasurer, Doris Tom Morrison.
Others are Auditor, Omunimi Wokoma, Ex-officio, Boye Salau, Financial Secretary, Fubara Miebaka Amadi and Cameraman, Prince Dele Obinna.
