The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has stated that the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is deliberately building an enviable future for Rivers people.
Nsirim who stated this today when the management of CoolWazobiaInfo, operators of Cool, Wazobia, and Nigeria Info radio stations, paid him a courtesy visit in his office, stated that every step the governor has taken since 2015 has been targeted at developing the state.
“Within the last five years, His Excellency has demonstrated keenly that his passion to turn around the fortunes of Rivers State is not something that he is just playing to the gallery. In almost all sectors of the economy of the state, you can see the monumental changes that are taking place here.
“That’s what we have found in this visionary leader and we are quite proud to be associated with him”, he said.
The commissioner noted that the manner in which the governor executes all the developmental projects in the state is only characteristic of a leader who is driven by the will to serve the people.
“Do you want to talk about the three flyovers that are ongoing simultaneously? You know, naysayers thought that it was a political gimmick when he said I have paid 70 per cent of the contract sum of the projects.
“The speed with which the work is going on is so amazing. That is what you see when there is political will and you find a man whose passion for selfless service speaks in all that he does”, he said.
While expressing the willingness of the ministry to partner the station in areas that would develop the state, the commissioner stated that such partnership would be based on the station ensuring strict adherence to the regulatory guidelines set by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Such guidelines, he said, have to do with the principles of objectivity, fairness and balance, noting that when this is not done, there is a breach of the NBC guideline, which regulates the operations of the broadcast media in Nigeria.
He stated that media houses are supposed to be bridge builders who harness public opinion for the common good.
According to him, no media house should expose itself to be seen to be antagonistic.
“Every media house owes the society the obligation to create a balance in the reportage of activities”, he said.
The Commissioner assured that the State Government welcomes criticism and would only collaborate with initiatives that will ensure development for Rivers people.
“We are looking forward to any partnership that will bring into focus ethics, objectivity, fairness, and balance. A partnership that will engender development for Rivers people.
“Governor Wike has given governance a new meaning and we believe that partnership with the media will compel him to do more for Rivers people.
“ We welcome constructive criticism that will promote the state as an investors’ haven,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, the programme manager of the station, Carl Orakwe, proposed a collaboration with the ministry towards the development of the state.
“Part of the reasons why we are here is to extend our support and let everyone know that Cool Wazobia Info family as a media outfit would strive to promote good governance.
He pledged that they would collaborate with the ministry to project the state in good light.
Also present was the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo and all the directors of the ministry, as well as the head of station, CoolWazobiaInfo, Jeta Onomewho.
