Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has lauded the neutrality of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in reporting activities of his administration and efforts at enhancing developmental journalism.
Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to NAN, South-South Zonal Office in Port Harcourt.
Nwakaudu told the Zonal Manager, Mr Dianabasi Effiong, that the governor was appreciative of the agency’s work in the state and in providing credible information on issues affecting the state.
He said that in spite of being a Federal agency, the agency has not displayed any bias in the coverage of the state including activities of the PDP-led administration.
He said: “I am here formerly to interface with your esteemed organization in view of the wonderful contribution of NAN in areas of news coverage in the state.
“NAN is a strong organ in the dissemination of news. We are aware that developmental journalism premised on facts is critical to the sustenance of development and democracy across the country.
“We always like to interact with agencies like NAN that promote credible information. Although NAN is a federal agency they have tried very hard to be neutral in the dissemination of information.
“We are in opposition party in Rivers but you are still giving us good coverage. We already have a partnership with NAN.
“We assure you we are going to extend it based on discussions we are currently having.
“We want you to use your good offices to deploy your very qualified manpower to touch on the very critical areas that the governor is reaching out to, especially developmental projects.
“These projects cut across different sectors of the economy, infrastructure, health, education and other key areas.
“It will be wise for us to have you touch on or report human interest stories for people to get to know what is happening around them.
“Such stories can be done in areas like Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, entertainment, tourism, ecumenical centre, general hospitals in different local government areas, key roads like Sapenwa-Bori, and Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity roads.
“These are key areas that affect the daily living condition of the people and we are seeking a partnership with NAN in those key areas.
“NAN had been there; you have the required manpower, people who can do reports objectively and project what is happening for people to get to know what is happening around them.”
He said that Wike embarked on key development projects for people to appreciate governance and understand that although there were different political groups and parties, things were happening in different parts of Nigeria.
“Our governor, Nyesom Wike is about the best in the country. What we want to do is that these areas that we impact positively on the lives of the people are thrown up for people to see and appreciate.
“We do this for people to appreciate the importance of governance and democracy and inspire other governors who give excuses that they cannot perform because we have economic downturn.
“We have shown that salaries are being paid, our government is still working and government is doing projects and what is expected of them.
“I am glad to be here and assure you that we will continue to work together and ensure that it is in our best interest to keep information flowing in the best interest of our people,” he said.
In his response, Effiong assured the government that NAN was not an institutional opponent, but a core professional body guided by patriotism in projecting the truth without prejudice.
According to the zonal manager, NAN will sustain its partnership with Rivers government through its local and international services, entertainment, tourism and other critical areas of news dissemination.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmEdcI80MLk]
