…Says It’s Demonstrated Diligence
Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the National Network newspaper has demonstrated that Rivers people are industrious and good managers of business.
Governor Wike who was represented by Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of information in the state made the assertion in his speech last Friday in Port Harcourt during the 15th anniversary celebration of uninterrupted publication of the newspaper.
He acknowledged that the publication had made the state proud. He noted that the publisher should be appreciated for venturing into a capital intensive business such as newspaper publication.
Governor Wike commended Pastor Jerry Needam, publisher of the newspaper and his team for the tremendous success recorded in the fifteen years of existence despite the challenges. The Chief Executive Officer of the state said ‘I am happy with what the National Network team has achieved so far’.
He also commended the media for the support his administration has enjoyed from the watchdog of the society. The Governor said ‘without the media, the quality projects and peoples’ oriented programme of his administration would not be visible to people of the state and Nigeria at large.
The Governor also revealed that, his Government had signed contract of three fly overs at the cost of twenty one billion with Julius Berger despite the economic challenges. He said: “is only a man that has come to serve his people who will embark on such project”.
Governor Wike urged National Network and other media houses to join hands with the Rivers State Government to move the state forward as posterity will judge men harshly if they see what is good and refused to promote it.
The Governor equally advised media houses to engage in developmental journalism and avoid temptation of being dumpsites for unfounded news report.
He further charged media professionals to abide by the ethics of the profession at all times in discharge of their duties.
