Wike Bags NUJ Leadership Award, Emerges First Overall Daar Communications ‘Governor of the Year 2018’

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has nominated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the NUJ prize for Outstanding Achievement in Leadership and Infrastructural Development.

The governor also emerged as the first overall Daar Communication PLC ‘Governor of the year 2018’.

National President of the NUJ, Christopher Isiguzo, announced the nomination during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday.

Isiguzo said the NUJ is impressed with the quality projects executed by Wike across the state, despite the economic downturn in the country.

He said: “We arrived at the conclusion that you deserve this award after a painstaking selection process.

“We are impressed with the quality of work that you are doing because they are unique and significant.”

He said Wike has also made appreciable inroads in the improvement of security across Rivers State, leading to enhanced investment.

“I must tell you without flattering you that you are outstanding. You have tackled the security challenges in the state in a way that we have seen sustained improvement. These efforts should be commended”, he said.

The NUJ President also commended the governor for investing in the empowerment of the people of Rivers State.

Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said the NUJ award is special, noting that Rivers people appreciate the honour.

He said the award would be better appreciated if journalists play their roles as watchdogs of the station in these trying times

Wike said the media contributed in enthroning the failed APC Federal Government, hence they must work with other stakeholders to sack the dictatorial administration.

“This country is practicing democracy, but there appears a grand design to drag us into dictatorship. The media contributed in bringing up this failed administration. Now is the time to speak up against the ills of this administration.

“lf you gag the National Assembly and the Judiciary, then this country is gone,” he said.

The governor noted that a leader might be duly elected but end up being a dictator after muzzling other arms of the government.

"This is like what happens in Rivers State when the courts were closed down and the state Assembly compelled to sit at the Government House. The state budget was passed at a supersonic speed of one minute,” he said.

Meanwhile the management of Daar Communications Plc, operators of African Independent Television (AIT), Raypower FM and Faaji FM, has announced the emergence of Wike as the first overall Daar Communication Plc 'Governor of the year 2018'.

Speaking during a courtesy visit at the Government House Port Harcourt yesterday, Executive Chairman of Daar Communications Plc., Mr. Raymond Dobpesi Jnr., said Wike was nominated because of his outstanding projects delivery.

He said the achievements of Wike have made it impossible to restrict him to a particular sector.