By Igwe
Members of Niger Delta Media Practitioners of Nigeria (NDMPN) have honoured the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu with the award of the Most Distinguished CP of the Year 2024. The presentation of the award took place after a one-day capacity building and re-orientation programme of the younger generations in the Niger Delta region put together by NDMPN.
The CP who was represented by a female assistant commissioner of police (AC), Ireju Barasua, urged journalists to keep abreast of media laws to know the boundaries.
Others who received awards include My-Ace China (the Mayor of Housing) who received award as a Life Patron; Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, Engr. (Dr) Emeka Unachukwu, Sir Dan Harrison, Dr. Chukwuemeka Elele, and Mr. Ganiyu Ahmid Gbolagade.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Princewill Enyi (JP), reiterated that the media plays major roles in the quest for good governance. He urged the media to remind the state government that other political parties and members of the All Political Parties Forum need to be carried along in governance.
He thanked the Mayor of Housing for sponsoring the programme, and said that dissemination of information is very important in the society.
Hon. Enyi appreciated the chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, for his efforts in sustaining the youths of Rivers State.
The keynote speech which was delivered by Com. Jim Opiki was centered on the Role of Media in a Society of Rancour and Acrimony. Com. Opiki reminded journalists that they must be good readers for them to be good writers and that they must be objective in their writings.
He also talked about constructive journalism and that they must state facts and allow the public form their own opinion.
Reacting to the keynote address, an erudite journalist, Elder Ignatius Chukwu, advised the media to report other things like Agriculture, Education, Health, etc, apart from politics and war. He went further by saying that journalists must be competent and of good behaviour.
The Niger Delta Media Practitioners of Nigeria (NDMPN) is an association of practising journalists with members drawn from the nine Niger Delta states of Nigeria with the intent of using her pen to bring to the front burning issues affecting the development of the region.
