We can’t succeed without you — DG tells Journalists
Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt
Director General(DG) of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency,Dr Uche Mike Chukwuma has solicited for partnership with journalists in the State, stressing that his Agency cannot achieve its mandate without the support of the media.
Chukwuma,a retired police officer stated this in Port Harcourt, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Rivers State Council in Port Harcourt. According to him, having successfully worked with journalists as Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO),he understands the importance of the media and would not do anything without them.
The DG said he thanks God that they have overcome the initial legitimacy problem that confronted the Agency, having secured two separate judgements in their favour at the High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice B.F.M Nyako and Justice H.I.O Oshomah of the Port Harcourt High Court respectively.
The DG said he was appointed to his current position on 16/3/2018 by the Governor of Rivers State, Barr Nyesom Wike and despite initial hiccups has steered the Agency to a steady rise. He expressed confidence that crime and criminality in Rivers State will m.
inimize if all hands are put on deck. The DG reminded the public that security is everybody’s business and should not be left for security agencies alone.
Throwing more light on the operations of the Rivers State Neighborhood Safety Corps Agency,the DG said their primary duty is to give timely information to the conventional security agencies. He said their function is an undercover operations.The idea,he said is to nip crime in the bud, before it occurs.
He warned against attempts to politicize security,noting that criminals do not differentiate between political parties, tribes or even religion when carrying out their nefarious activities.
The DG urged Correspondents to educate the new generation journalists,especially electronic reporters on the ethics of journalism profession, accusing them of basing their reports on the highest bidder principle. He said this has actually cast doubt on the objectivity of such journalists.
The DG pledged to leave a legacy that will be difficult to equal by his successor, having seen the appointment as a bigger responsibility to serve his people and the country at large.
“I want to leave a legacy that will be difficult to equal by my successor when I leave office. I can’t do it alone, hence my visit today. I see this as a better chance to serve my people.I therefore came to solicit for your support to enable us succeed,”the DG said.
Responding,the Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Amaechi Okonkwo assured the DG that as professional journalists his members will continue to discharge their duties constitutionally.
