De Gratia Center For Media Rights And Education Unveils The Organization In Port Harcourt
– Begins the process to raise an army of media professionals that will change the face of media practice across the country and beyond.
Dez Mayorz Report.
‘De Gratia Center For Media Rights And Education’ unveils the Organization in Port Harcourt.
In a press conference put together by the Executive Director of the organization, Pastor Pualinus Nsirim at the Nigerian Union of Journalists quarters in Port Harcourt, Nsirim said that the Mission of the organization is to raise an army of media professionals who will set the bar of objectivity and fairness in media practice.
“We shall use our professional competence to promote high ethical standards in media practice in Nigeria” – Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said as he calls on all men of goodwill to embrace the noble vision.
Below is the full press statement obtained by Dez Mayorz Media.
TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY PASTOR PAULINUS NSIRIM, MNIPR, DSSRS, JP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DE GRATIA CENTRE FOR MEDIA RIGHTS AND EDUCATION, TO UNVEIL THE ORGANIZATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023.
Gentlemen of the Press,
It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this press conference designed to unveil the De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education.
Today’s event marks the fulfillment of the vision that has been on the drawing board for the past ten (10) years. My sojourn in media practice spanning thirty-nine (39) years has brought a reservoir of experience that I am humbled to share with media practitioners.
My career path began as a cub reporter and by the special grace of God I rose to the pinnacle of my career as the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communications in Rivers State, Nigeria.
In my quest to birth De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education, I had to seek the support of two (2) accomplished media practitioners; Chief Ignatius Chukwu and Mr. Vincent Ake, as well as my dear wife, Mrs. Woyengikuro Nsirim, who would be serving with me as the board of trustees for this unique Organization.
Many will ask, why De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education?
We are not just an Organization trying to occupy the media space. The Vision of the De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education is to be a global brand in offering qualitative training in media practice; to serve as a fountain for ethical research and training.
It is expected that the grooming of thoroughbred professionals will change the face of media practice across the country and beyond.
Our Mission also, is to raise an army of media professionals who will set the bar of objectivity and fairness in media practice.
We shall use our professional competence to promote high ethical standards in media practice in Nigeria and beyond.
To achieve our vision and mission, we shall employ the following strategies;
1. Workshops
2. Seminars
3. Master Classes
4. Mentorship Classes
5. Certificate Courses
6. Partnership for Industry Experience
7. Exchange Programmes
8. Researches
My dear Colleagues, De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education is a Not-For-Profit Organization. Membership in the Organization would be open to individuals with relevant Journalism qualifications and experience.
Membership shall be open to such Journalists irrespective of sex, ethnicity, political and religious creed.
Admission Procedure
Forms shall be issued to prospective individuals who wish to join the Organization.
Endorsement
Membership forms shall be attested to by Two Trustees.
Granting of Membership
The Board of Trustees shall have the right to approve membership applications after review.
Membership Rights and Privileges
1. Participate in all Activities
2. Have the right to use facilities
3. Have a right to vote and be voted for
4. Have a right to receive a certificate of membership
5. Have a right to attend all meetings
Dues and Levies of Members
Dues and Levies shall be set annually by resolution of the Board of Trustees and payments and times of payment shall be stipulated in the constitution. A member shall be deemed to be in good standing if he is up to date with his dues.
Members shall pay annual dues of N20,000 on or before the 1st of October each year.
Termination of Membership
A member shall terminate his membership voluntarily in writing or when found culpable of any criminal or civil wrong by a court of competent jurisdiction.
De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education shall seek partnerships with Corporate Organizations, philanthropic bodies, media organizations, and well-meaning individuals, to ensure that funding of its activities will not suffer a setback.
We, therefore, call on all men of goodwill to embrace this noble vision, as accountable stewardship will be our watchword.
Let me pause here and thank the members of the Board of Trustees for believing in this vision and investing their time and talents to see this day.
To you, my esteemed colleagues, you have all been part of my success story and I cannot thank you all enough for your professional support all these years. I look forward to your support as we build De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education.
My dear wife and children, you all have been tremendous pillars of support and I am grateful to God for such a unique family.
According to Victor Hugo, the revered French Poet and Novelist; “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education is an idea whose time has come.
You are all welcome on board this voyage to build a global brand that will quench the hunger for capacity building and professional competence.
Thank you all for coming. God bless you all.
