BY John Odhe, YENAGOA
The United Correspondents Chapel (UCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State council, has reiterated its resolve to collaborate with media organisations to reduce drug abuse, cultism and cyber crimes to the lowest ebb in the State.
UCC chairman, Comrade Ekaunkumo Amgbare made the statement during a courtesy call on the management of Radio Bayelsa, Glory FM 97.1 at the Earnest Ikoli Media Complex, Ekeki, Yenagoa, the State capital.
The UCC chairman was in company of his vice, Mr. John Odhe, the Secretary, Chris Mark Deinkoru, financial secretary, Mr. Jide Dominic, the auditor 1, Mr. Julius Agadaga and a member, Mr. Bassey Williams.
Amgbare said the visit was to formally introduce the new executive of the chapel to the Bayelsa State owned media organisation to explore areas of collaboration in news content, and public enlightenment programmes that would benefit Bayelsans.
He noted that the visit was also to seek support in publicizing UCC’s forthcoming sensitization programme for selected secondary schools in Yenagoa with the theme: “Menace of Drug Abuse, Cultism, Cybercrime and the Future of Bayelsa Students.”
Amgbare said as media practitioners, UCC considered it a responsibility to address the vices plaguing schools schools and to equip students with the right values for a better future.
He congratulated the Acting General Manager of the radio station, Madam Grace Peletri, on her appointment, noting that within one month of her assumption of office, she had demonstrated purposeful leadership.
“One long-standing challenge, that even us in the media have accepted as inevitable is the disruption of transmission during power outages. That has now been resolved under your administration in this station.
“This development is commendable and reflects your commitment to service delivery.
“Your prompt intervention to fix that challenge has restored listener’s confidence, and ensured that information continues to flow to the people of Bayelsa, even when the national grid fails.
“That is not a small feat. It is evidence of vision, technical foresight, and a deep understanding of what broadcast service should be: reliable, consistent, and people-centered. You have shown that when leadership listens and acts, results follow.
“We are confident that your experience as Director of Programmes has prepared you for this larger role.
“You understand content, you understand audience, and now you are steering the entire ship. We have no doubt that Glory FM will scale greater heights under your leadership.
“As you settle into office, we pray for wisdom, strength, and grace to lead. May this station continue to be “Glory” and indeed a voice for the voiceless, a mirror for government, and a pride of the Ijaw nation.
“We assure you of our chapel’s readiness to partner with Glory FM in projecting positive stories about Bayelsa and holding leaders accountable with fairness and balance.
“The print and the broadcast media must work together if we must combat misinformation, disinformation and build public trust.
“This courtesy visit, we believe, will open new vista of opportunity for a robust partnership and support, setting the stage for the beginning of a stronger working relationship for the good of journalism and our state,” he added.
Responding, the Acting General Manager of Radio Bayelsa, Mrs. Grace Peletri, pledged the station’s readiness to collaborate with the united correspondents chapel.
She said the station would also give publicity to the chapel’s proposed sensitization campaign against social vices amongst school children.
She noted that given the media’s mandate to inform, educate, and entertain, it was imperative for practitioners to discharge their duties responsibly in order to drive societal growth and development.
