In what has been described as a landmark in the history of journalism in Rivers State, elder statesman and philanthropist, Prince Emma Anyanwu, has handed over a cheque of N2 million in fulfillment of his endowment for journalists in the state.
He has also inaugurated a committee that will handle the management of the endowment fund.
The committee is headed by former Rivers NUJ chairman, Paulinus Nsirim, while Opaka Dokubo, Ndagene Akwu, Ms Kadilo Brown and Olalekan Ige are members.
It would be recalled that Prince Emma Anyanwu had last year, during the opening ceremony of the 2011 NUJ Press Week, promised to institute an annual endowment fund worth N2 million geared towards training of journalists.
Speaking at the brief ceremony on Monday, Prince Emma Anyanwu praised journalists for their numerous contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria, pointing out that they have often been relegated to the background.
He said journalists have helped to shape national discourse and development issues, while lamenting some terrible conditions media practitioners were made to go through in the course of their work.
Prince Anyanwu, while decrying those who think journalists are beggars, said the profession has some of the best brains in Nigeria, who have in no small way contributed to the upliftment of humanity.
While acknowledging that he has many friends in the media circle, he said he thought of what he could do to enhance their profession and came up with the idea of the endowment fund to serve as a vehicle for training and re-training.
He charged the committee to work hard and ensure all chapels of the NUJ are carried along in the scheme of things.
The industrialist called on the committee to focus on areas of education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), while stating that emphasis must be based on competence.
Also speaking, the Rivers state council chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and member of the committee, Mr Opaka Dokubo was full of gratitude to Prince Anyanwu, saying he has etched his name in gold.
Dokubo said Rivers journalists will forever remain grateful for such an enviable disposition, pointing out that the onus is now on journalists in the state to make judicious use of the glorious opportunity.
Chairman of the Committee, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, said the gesture of Prince Emma Anyanwu is a landmark in the annals of journalism in Nigeria and assured that the Committee will hit the ground running immediately.
He assured that the Committee will put the money into judicious use, adding that a needs assessment would be carried out to determine areas of intervention for journalists in the state.
Nsirim pledged to ensure a transparent process and regular account of stewardship to the benefactor. ###
