In a momentous gathering of media professionals and stakeholders, the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Rivers State (RIVPA) formally inducted Kristina Reports into its esteemed body.

The celebrated move took place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 during an RIVPA’s Award and Induction Ceremony held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The event, which marked one of the final milestones of the outgoing RIVPA Executive led by its Chairman, Gloria Harry, was a celebration of resilience, advocacy, and media excellence in Rivers State.

In her heartfelt address, Harry reflected on the association’s journey under her leadership, emphasizing the persistent challenges faced by independent publishers, including threats, economic hurdles, and rejection of local publications by some commercial banks.

“We are the ink in the journalist’s pen,” she said while acknowledging the critical role RIVPA members play in shaping public perception.”

She highlighted RIVPA’s advocacy visits to strategic institutions including the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Central Bank of Nigeria, aimed at strengthening collaboration and removing barriers to business for indigenous publishers.

One of the key moments of the ceremony was the induction of the Publisher of Kristina Reports, Godswill Jumbo, alongside those of Newswriter, Port Harcourt Mundial and Society Conscience Newspapers, Elsie Amabibi, Affiong Nwaucha, and Innocent Jacob, respectively, which was described by guests as symbolic.

With a team made up predominantly of Rivers State indigenes, Kristina Reports was praised for upholding the values of indigenous storytelling and journalistic integrity.

The Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Kristina Reports, Godswill Jumbo described the event as fulfilling, being identified with his kinsmen.

“For the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Rivers State which is like a convergence point for indigenous publishers in Rivers State, we find it as something rewarding for us to identify with our kinsmen given that the management of Kristina Reports has majority of indigenes of Rivers State”.

The CEO also used the occasion to echo support for the Endowment Fund for Publishers as proposed by the outgoing Chairman of RIVPA, Gloria Harry, calling on government, the private sector, and stakeholders to partner with RIVPA in sustaining independent media in the State.

“The proposed idea for an endowment fund for publishers is something that the government, the private sector and other stakeholders should connect up to because it will actually go a long way in strengthening the media industry “.

As the RIVPA executive transitions to a new leadership, the event not only celebrated achievements but also cast a hopeful vision for a more supportive media environment in Rivers State, where indigenous media thrives, and local voices are amplified.