By Cynthia Eruotor
Chevron Nigeria Limited, a multinational company in Nigeria said it would continue to partner with the media to develop the society hence it has continued to organize different capacity building programmes for Journalists in Nigeria.
Speaking at one day media capacity building programme organized by Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel in partnership with NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture on Thursday, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited(CNL),.Mr Olusoga Oduselu said the organization is much aware of the significance role the media play as agenda setters and opinion moulders being, the fourth estate of the realm.
A cross section of the participants at the event
According to him, it is based on the importance of the media to the advancement of humanity in relation to the organization’s responsibility, the organisation sponsored Advance Writing and Reporting Skills programmes in collaboration with Pan Atlantic University in Lagos, trained over 90 Journalists in Lagos last year, 30 Journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital and Abuja, adding that, over 120 Journalists have so far benefited from the programmes since its inception in 2014.
Oduselu who was represented by Mr. Akinbola Praise, said the organization is much aware that with such capacity programmes , it helps to improve professional capacity and build lasting partnership with its media stakeholders.
The Vice Chancellor,Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Prof. Akpofure Rim- Rukeh delivering his lecture
According to him, since the vision of the organization is to be global energy company most desired for its people, partnership and performance as it believes that energy is essential to modern life adding that, providing that energy is its responsibility. He said, the organization aimed at developing affordable, reliable, ever cleaner energy that would enable human progress around the world.
His words:”Through Chevron-NUJ capacity building programmes, we help to improve professional capacity and build lasting partnership with our media stakeholders. We also recognize that the success of the larger society invariably translates to success in our business, and we believe, it is our long- term interest to add value to society as we create value for our stakeholders“
The Chairman, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor delivering his welcome address
Oduselu said besides oil exploration and gas production,Chevron Nigeria Limited is the highest contributor of high quality domestic gas in Nigeria since 2015 as it is committed to lowering carbon emission and reducing gas flaring in Nigeria saying that, through investments in gathering and processing of associated gas, routine flaring has been reduced to significant figure in the past 10 years in its operations.
According to him, the organization contributes to the sustainable development of the communities through Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) which is a community- led participatory partnership model for the community engagement which was pioneered by the organization since 2005, among others.
Mr. Akinbola Praise, representing Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited(CNL),Mr Olusoga Oduselu
In his paper presentation on the theme:” Environmental Degradation in the Society”, the Vice Chancellor,Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area Delta State, Prof. Akpofure Rim- Rukeh said, the media have a lot of roles to play to enlighten the public on the dangers of environmental degradation, pollution among others, which have made the earth unfit for habitation .
According to Prof Rim-Rukeh said,Journalists have a lot of areas they can educate the masses on the dangers of making the earth unsafe for human’s existence. The erudite Professor who said there are wide areas of health hazards in the country including the indiscriminate dumping of refuse which contaminates the environment, said healthy environment gives birth to good health and therefore charged the media to do a lot to enable many people who are ignorant of the earth’s deforestation, pollution and degradation to turn a new leaf to make the earth fit for all to inhabit. He said the more human destroys the environment by way of deforestation,bush burning, indiscriminate dumping of waste, among others, the more he endangers man’s comfort on earth.
Dr. Majority Oji of Delsu , delivering his lecture
Other speakers include Dr Majority Oji, the Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Delsu, Abraka, who spoke on the need for Journalists to present balance, objective and fair reportage and Dr Mrs Favour Atubi who spoke on GMoU, its origin, importance among others.
Elder Emmanuel Ogoigbe, a Veteran Journalist and one of the participants being presented certificate at the event
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor welcomed everybody for the prorgramme and expressed gratitude to NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture for the programme. The event climaxed with presentation of certificates to participants amidst cheers.