The Publisher of National Network Group of Newspapers, Jerry Needam on Saturday, February 25 at SilverbirdCinemas bared his mind on why he has taken it upon himself to constructively criticize Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration.
Needam who was bestowed with the prestigious award of Outstanding Courage in Journalism For His Fearless Editorials by Andy Briggs Report, a prestigious Niger Delta based magazine while receiving the award said the reason for being critical ofAmaechi administration is basically to set agenda for good governance in the State.
The Publisher who expressed this reason in an interview with our reporter stated that he was determined to improve democratic governance by suggesting alternative ideas to help set agenda for government for the betterment of Rivers people, adding that he had equally taken it upon himself to speak for the masses notwithstanding the political or religious affiliation.
Having taken up this cause, the highly courageous journalist who is also the State Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), told the eminent audience that nothing would sway him from doing what is fair, just and right, stressing that he is not looking for settlement like most Nigerians do.
Praising Jerry Needam’s Courage in Media Business that necessitated the honour, Andy Briggs during citation disclosed that the National Network Publisher who today is an eminent critic of the Rivers State Government as presently constituted was until a few years back a good ally of Amaechi.Needam had to move over to the opposition when the infighting in the Rivers PDP became more pronounced and heading towards truncating the party.
Since then, it was further disclosed he has kept the government on its toes, berating it when necessary and eulogizing it whenever it did well.
Jerry Needam was not however the only person Andy Briggs Report honoured for outstanding performance in their chosen careers.
In the individual category besides Needam, Hon Prince NwukeOgbonna, Mrs Evans Osi, wife of the Independent Monitor Publisher, Professor B. B. Fakae, Vice Chancellor, RSUST, Senator Magnus Abe, among others also received awards for their outstanding performance in what they are doing.
In the corporate category, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) received an award for Best Community Relations Initiative, Genesis Group received Outstanding Impact in Leisure Award, AIT was given award as the Best News and Entertainment Television Network, Home Options, Everyday Group, Access Bank and a number of other corporate bodies equally collected awards.
Andy Briggs, the Publisher of Andy Briggs Report had in his vote of thanks condemned the manner journalists operating within Port Harcourt axis are being treated and contrasted it with the better packages and conditions enjoyed by Lagos/Abuja axis press, saying publishers in those places are millionaires.
He recounted with bitterness how hard he tried to bring corporate bodies operating in Port Harcourt to identify with what he was doing, pointing out that it was almost a Herculean task.
He therefore urged corporate bodies, especially oil companies to patronize Port Harcourt journalists in much the same way Lagos-Abuja journalists are cared for.
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