The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists( NUJ), Rivers State council, Mr. Stanley Job and the Head of Journalism, Broadcasting , Advertising and Public Relations department of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt , Prof. Chris Omego, Dr. Ikems Konye, Dr. Sunny Mbazie, respectively, were special guests that came to honour the official opening of Metronetwork digital studio in Port Harcourt.
Other dignitaries include, Dr. Faustinus Ginikanwa Nwachukwu, Dr. Moses Asak, Dr. Justice Ihunwo and other top media executives.
The event held on Saturday June 29, 2024, was also attended by members of the public.
In his welcome address, the Managing editor, Metronetworknews, Mr. David T.J. Amusa, thanked the guests for finding time from their busy engagements to be at the ceremony
He said the need for establishing the studio arouse from the demand of digital services in the world of super information highway.
His words, “We are happy to welcome everybody to the official opening of Metronetwork studio.
“The need for this studio arouse from the demand of digital services in the world of super information highway. Ours is a simple contribution towards this direction.
“We are a digital media firm by the name Metronetwork Online Limited, publishers of Metronetworknews. We offer such services as news reporting, music/sound recording, video coverage/editing, jingle production, voice over, social media management, advert, content creation, photograpy, drone coverage, MC/ DJ, projector hiring and training, not only to serve the public but also to utilise it for the business we are in. As you know, the business of the media has changed requiring the use of digitalised devices,artificial intelligence and many more.
“We want to use this opportunity to implore media practitioners and journalists to take advantage of this our outfit knowing full well that the practice has changed with alot of innovations and no media professional worth his or her salt should be left out in this period as change is dynamic. We also want to use this opportunity to solicit for patronage from stakeholders and the general public to patronise us and develop the industry.
“We are also extending our hands of cooperation to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, the Broadcasting, Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations departments, young persons who are into skit making and other content creators in the internet.
“We believe that our services would help those in this sector having challenges to have such challenges mitigated by the services we offer, including professional counseling”.
Delivering his speech, the Chairman of NUJ, Mr. Stanley Job, who was represented by the Secretary, Mr Ike Wigodo, commended the management for establishing the studio and advised them to abide by the ethics of the profession.
” Let me commend the management for coming up with this lofty idea.
“Let me also advise them to abide by the ethics of the profession and ensure that whatever they bring out to the public is something that will benefit the people. Let us not start criticising or damaging the image of the state. Let’s always think of how to build and re-build the state”, he said.
In her speech, the H.O.D, Journalism, UNIPORT Professor Chris Umego, also commended the management for setting up the outfit and expressed the department’s readiness to partner the firm.
In her own speech, the H.O.D, Broadcasting, UNIPORT, Dr. Ikems Konye, praised Metronetwork Online Limited for starting internet radio at a time like this when most people of this generation no longer listen to traditional radio.
She said, “We commend the management for establishing something like this because for anyone who wants to establish a radio station, the person probably wants to contribute to society.
“Starting online radio is the best for me because we are living in a generation where the Gen-Zs don’t listen to traditional radio,they will rather listen to online radio. So, this is a platform that can be exploited to reach this particular generation.
“We are hoping that the introduction of this outfit will bring about changes in society because that is the essence of having it, to entertain and also educate members of the public about what is going on around them.
” We are hopeful that since it is established here in Nigeria, it will project the Nigeria perspective and project the Nigerian society in positive light.
“We are encouraging you to come partner the Radio UNIPORT, UNIQUE 88.5fm. We are there for you. We are willing to collaborate and work with you.
“We wish you the best”. She prayed.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Metronetwork Online Limited, Chief Sunny Ikeokwu, stated that the firm was poised to deliver good customer service.
In a chat with newsmen shortly after the occasion, a senior lecturer in the department of Advertising and Public Relations, UNIPORT, Dr. Faustinus Ginikanwa Nwachukwu, described as novel, the establishment of the studio, stating that it would be extremely successful.
He said, “This is a state-of-the-art facility. It is going to be a very great contest between Metronetworknews and the other radio stations in Port Harcourt. The city is a highly competitive environment for broadcasting. We have a lot of broadcasting stations in Port Harcourt metropolis. It is good for Port Harcourt listeners.They have a huge resource to access information from as far as broadcasting is concerned. I think with this digital studio, the sky is the limit for Metronetwork here in Port Harcourt”.
