GOVERNOR WIKE CHARGES MEDIA TO EXPOSE THE EVILS GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has urged the media to always speak out against societal ills in the country for the overall interest of the people.

He has also charged the media to challenge those in authority to be accountable to the people.

Governor Wike made the assertion during the official presentation of his letter of nomination for the 2020 Extra Ordinary Personality of the Year Award by the Management of Silverbird Group at Government House, Port Harcourt. 

The Governor who recalled how vibrant the media was during the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, regretted that the media had lost its pride of place in the present administration because it failed to speak out against the atrocities committed by the Nigerian Army under the former Chief of Army Staff in the 2019 governorship election in the state, the politicized security in the country and the lies by the APC- led Federal Government.

He opined that the media should desist from keeping mute on government actions which were detrimental to society, but should be able to stand firm in line with professional ethics to challenge public officers on issues that they did which were not right.

Governor Wike lauded the management of Silverbird Group for the award bestowed on his administration and emphasized that his administration was obliged to impact on the lives of Rivers people and improve basic infrastructure in the state. 

He reiterated that his second tenure would be like his first and announced that the State government would embark on another round of project inauguration on the 10^th of this month.

Governor Wike also disclosed that he had approved the construction of the 8th flyover in the state with a view to changing the landscape of the state capital, while the Trans Kalabari Road would be flagged off soonest.

He described as untrue reports that his administration was not paying pensioners in the state, emphasizing that government spent not less than One-Point-Eight Billion Naira monthly for the payment of pensions.

Earlier, the Chief Creative Officer, Silverbird Group and Chairman, Silverbird Editorial Board, Jacob Akinyemi Johnson said the award was bestowed on the Governor because of his numerous project execution in the state despite the COVID 19 pandemic, his fearless nature and boldness in speaking out against issues that were inimical to the development of the country and his policy of having women in elective position across the state.

Johnson noted that the award was to honour the Governor for  his fantastic job to the people of Rivers State and implored him to sustain the tempo.