Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have appealed for an improved funding for media organizations in the region.
They made the demand during the third year anniversary of digital news outlet, Daily Report Nigeria, which held on Friday in Effurun, Delta State.
The event with the theme ‘Tech and Media Innovation Towards Nigeria’s Progress’ had in attendance ethnic groups, public officials, industry leaders and several other dignitaries.
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In his welcome address, Editor-in-Chief, Tare Magbei listed paucity of funds as a major challenge in the paper’s push for the production and distribution of “accurate, informative and entertaining content.”
Magbei said Daily Report Nigeria currently “reaches between 300,000 to 500,000 monthly page views and intended to reach the 1,000,000 monthly page views mark by January 2024.”
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On its long term goals, the digital news agency intends to reach the average Nigerian with internet access by its 10th anniversary while utilizing digital tools.
Chairman of the occasion and National Publicity Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, tasked leaders in the Niger Delta to give unwavering support to indigenous media practitioners in the region in their quest to build formidable news outlets.
The INC spokesperson noted that many Nigerians are misled into believing that youths in the region, particularly those of Ijaw extraction are violent people or militants, and pointed out the role of the media in correcting such erroneous notion as he called on all to support the media, particularly those of Ijaw extraction.
“Information is knowledge and it is about us. The Ijaw people are not militants. It is what they will just assume. The Ijaw people are beautiful and the Ijaws stand for peace. We need to promote ourselves. And how do we promote ourselves, it is through our media outfits.
“It (Daily Report) looks small today, but by the grace of God, with your support, my support, and the support of the Ijaw Nation, we believe that we can have another major media outfit. I want to congratulate them for their 3rd year anniversary. Most people will say the sky is their limit, but now we say the sky is not even their limits.
“I stand here today to appeal to all of us, in any way we can encourage our own, particularly the Daily Report, today is their third anniversary and in their own unique style they are also marking it with award nights. Some persons will be celebrated and promoted for their positive contributions. My major appeal, in any way you can support, do so. The INC will give a 100 percent support to the Daily Report,” he added.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Delta Online Publishers Forum, Ijaw Publishers Forum, pressure groups and ethnic leaders at the event all reiterated the call for support for indigenous media houses.
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High point of the event was the Merit and Honorary Awards presentation to Deltans who have distinguished themselves in the public and private sectors.
For the non-voting category, Best Performing Council Chairman (LG Council of the Year Award) went to Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, Executive Chairman of Burutu Council, while Best Performing House of Assembly Member of The 7th Assembly went to Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the Member representing Warri South-West Constituency.
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Rev. Francis Waive were honoured with the Senator and House Member of the 9th assembly respectively.
Also, the Councilor of the Year Award went to Hon. Ogbevire Ashubu representing Ward 2/4 in the LG Council; the Innovator of the Year Award went to Ejovwokoghene Eguolo Favour, founder of Tipin Recycle, while the Man of the Year Award went to Ejiro Otarigho, the driver who drove a tanker on fire away from a populated urban area in Ughelli to avoid a tragic loss of lives in an incident that occurred in 2022.
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For the voting category, while Mama T and Isokoh Edirin Stanley (Oduma) emerged as winners of the Influencer of the Year Award and the Entertainer of the Year Award, respectively, that of the Activist of the Year Award went to Comr. Ozobo Austin.
Zitu Clothing and Jude Gbaboyo clinched the Indigenous Brand of the Year Award and the Sport Personality of the Year Award, respectively; while Li2SMS and Sonia Ohwojero emerged respectively as winners of the Content Creator of the Year Award and the Media Personality of the Year Award.
In other two keenly contested awards: the Humanitarian of the Year and the Peace Ambassador of the Year, saw Prophet Omoto Fufeyin of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry in Effurun, and Comr. Shedrack Agediga (JP), the founder and chairman of Shedrack Agediga Foundation (SAF), emerged as winners.
