As Nigerians gear up for the upcoming 2023 General Elections in the Country Members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Rivers State chapter has taken a stand on the importance of media vigilance to achieve peaceful elections in the State. They made this known at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Correspondents’ week held on Monday in Port Harcourt.
The Chairman of the occasion Dr. Jossy Nkwocha while giving his opening remarks enjoined journalists in Port Harcourt and the Country at large to shun fake news and to always ensure proper verification of sources of information before reporting. He also told pressmen to always remain neutral in the course of discharging their duties especially as it concerns the upcoming elections as the pen, he said, can either build or destroy.
According to Signature TV’s Correspondent, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in River State Johnson Sinikiem who was represented by The Director Voter Education and Publicity of Commission in the State Mark Usulo while speaking at the ceremony commended the media for creating an avenue for members of the public to express themselves as it concerns the upcoming elections and also praised them for scrutinizing the electoral process in the Country.
He went on to speak on some of the many measures that have been employed by the INEC to curb vote buying such as stopping the use of cameras at the polling booths, and collaborations with EFCC and ICPC among others. He further told pressmen to encourage electorates to get to their polling units early enough so as to scrutinize the process by ensuring that no number has been previously imputed in the BVASS and that only materials assigned to the unit were brought and brought completely.
Also speaking at the event was the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications Chris Finebone who declared the Correspondents Week open. He encouraged members of the Press to be knowledgeable in affairs of the states so as to speak with authority. He also encouraged them to hold on to their duty to serve and protect the profession especially as they serve as an ombudsman watching other areas of society.
Amaechi Okonkwo the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel who gave the welcome address at the occasion entitled “Reinforcing Demand on Stakeholders for Peaceful Elections in Rivers State” enjoined the INEC, political parties, and their candidates to join hands to ensure peace and stability during the election period. Okonkwo also encouraged the electorates who account for the majority of the population to stand firm and vote their choice rather than let politicians manipulate them.
The event which is a week-long will also feature a visitation of the less privileged, a Dinner to wrap up, and a thanksgiving service at Eleutheria ministries Elimgbu, Port Harcourt.
