1st December, 2021
Okafor Ofiebor /Port Harcourt
The Correspondents Chapel of the Rivers State Council, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has announced series of activities for its annual one week event tagged “Correspondents’ Week” .
The theme of this year’s Week is: ‘Survival of Journalists in Security and Economic Uncertainties in Nigeria; Focus on Strategic Reporting of the Maritime Sector.’
Members will use the period for self-examination, review, and relaxation with friends of the Correspondents in Rivers State and beyond.
The Week’s activities will kick off on Monday, December 6, 2021, with an Opening Ceremony at the Conference Hall of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Alfred Diete-Spiff Secretariat, Port Harcourt, at 10 o’clock in the morning.
In press statement, Ignatius Chukwu “Correspondents’ Week” Organising Chairman, Ignatius Chukwu and Barth Ndubuwah, Secretary, said the Special Guest of Honour for the event will be Paulinus Nsirim, the Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, while the Chairman of the occasion is Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, former member, House of Representatives and media guru.
According to Organising Committee,the Keynote address will be delivered by Mr Ubong Essien, Special Assistant to the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, while Dr Jossy Nkwocha of Indorama, a Reputation Management expert, will give a special talk to journalists on overcoming economic challenges in the Journalism Practice.
Dr S.A.T Amukele, Director, African Medical Missionary Initiative, Nigeria, will discuss Secrets in Natural Health Options for Journalists and their families.
Royal father of the Week, is Eze Woji, His Royal Highness, Eze Sir Dr Emeka G. Ihunwo JP, would grace the occasion.
During the second day of the Correspondents’ Week will feature a Special Congress of members and few guests with Mr. Ofon Udofia, an entrepreneurial expert and professional, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Institute of Export Operations & Management, Nigeria, as guest speaker.
To mark Day Three, the Correspondents would carry out a Facility Visit to Bob Tract Tractor Nigeria Limited at Iriebe in the outskirts of the Rivers Capital, Port Harcourt, on December 7, 2021, while Day Four would be marked with visit to Priesthood Orphanage, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.
Day Five will be the Correspondents Annual Dinner (CAD) which holds at the NBA Hall opposite Port Harcourt Local Council Secretariat by 4pm on December 10, 2021. The evening would feature a Dinner Talk and Special Appearance by the reigning Youth Ambassador in the state who is the Face of New Rivers State, 18-year-old Miss Sophia Awajibenem Oyibo, who will tell the world her thrilling experience so far as the voice of Rivers State, a Shared Responsibility.
The Correspondents’ Week will wind up with a Thanksgiving Service at Charismatic Renewal Ministries (RCM), Rehoboth Centre in Rumumasi, Port Harcourt.
Overall, the Correspondents in Rivers State will use the week to create awareness and draw attention to the health of journalists as well strive to create alternative income streams to enable them enhance independence of the press and investigative journalism.
They will also focus on emerging Blue Economy and embrace strategies in reporting the Maritime Sector of the Nigerian Economy given their location at one of the maritime hubs of the country.
With the support of partners, they hope to achieve this important objective, realizing that a healthy journalist and an economically strong practitioner is an asset to the Nigerian society.
The members thus invite professional colleagues, friends and invited guests to support the Correspondents in the activities to mark the Week.