Journalists in Warri, Delta State, have received a major mobility boost following the donation of a brand-new 18-seater bus to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, by ManRoy Global Services Limited in partnership with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
The gesture is expected to ease the transportation difficulties routinely faced by journalists who move from one assignment to another, often at short notice, in the course of informing the public and performing their professional responsibilities.
The new vehicle will provide members of the chapel with a more convenient means of travelling together to assignments, covering events and responding to developments across Warri and its environs.
Presenting the bus at ManRoy’s office along the DSC Expressway in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, the company’s Managing Director, Mr Collins Okorie, said the donation was informed by the company’s recognition of the important role journalists play in society.
“You know in society, without journalism, information will not be disseminated. So, you are an important part of society and without you there is no society,” Okorie said.
He said ManRoy decided to hand over the vehicle to assist journalists in their work, particularly given the existing collaboration between the company, the NUJ and its operating partner, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Also speaking, the Administration Manager of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Princess Daisy Jaja, said the donation was in line with the company’s policy of supporting the NUJ, especially in addressing mobility challenges during events.
She explained that having journalists travel together would eliminate the difficulty of arranging separate vehicles for members attending the same assignment.
“It’s always very hard to get pockets of people in different vehicles. But if they are in their bus, they will go together and come back together,” Jaja said.
She noted that Tantita had maintained a good relationship with the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel and had also built a befitting secretariat for the journalists.
Jaja described the bus donation as a significant gesture by ManRoy, saying, “It’s a very big feat that our partners, ManRoy, imagined and kept it quiet.”
She expressed the hope that the vehicle would serve its intended purpose, adding, “We pray that the bus helps in every angle it’s supposed to and that fuel money nor go be problem.”
Receiving the bus on behalf of the chapel, its Chairman, Okakuro Akpokona Omafuaire, said the gesture would increase the capacity of journalists to carry out their duties while reducing the stress associated with transportation.
“We are happy you have increased our propensity to do our jobs,” Omafuaire said.
He added, “Driving that vehicle alone everywhere is a campaign for Tantita and ManRoy. We will drive it and use it to campaign for the company’s support everywhere.”
Omafuaire expressed appreciation to the two companies, saying, “On behalf of my members, we are so grateful to Tantita, we are so grateful to ManRoy, we are so grateful.”
He also appealed to ManRoy to sustain its relationship with the Union and continue to provide opportunities for further collaboration and partnership.
The Ovie of Great Idjerhe Kingdom and media veteran, HRM King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, PhD, who witnessed the presentation, commended ManRoy and Tantita for the gesture.
The traditional ruler urged the companies to sustain their existing relationship and collaboration with the NUJ, noting the importance of supporting journalists in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Earlier, Mr Silver Ofugara welcomed members of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel and the traditional ruler to ManRoy’s office for the presentation.
The donation is expected to bring relief to journalists who frequently contend with transportation difficulties while covering assignments, particularly when several events require them to move between different locations within Warri and beyond. ::