By Aniefiok Christopher
Journalists in Akwa Ibom have concluded a one-day stakeholders summit with resolutions and recommendations to enhance a stronger relationship between the media community, government, public and private organizations in the state.
Among other dignitaries at the stakeholders summit held at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo were the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Honourary Media Consultant to Governor Umo Eno, Hon. Aniekan Umanah and the State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk.
The Chairman of the occasion, Comrade Israel Umoh in his opening remarks, said participants at the event were selected as comrades to join in the clamour of rebuilding the near-broken walls of the media industry in the state.
Umoh, a former state NUJ Chairman and Publisher of the Straightnews newspaper, noted that the summit was an avenue for media practitioners to bring to the front burner, their pressing goals and challenges in shoring to welfarism.
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“Though the press is not sin-free, the fact remains that we are consistent propagators of good democratic governance,” Comrade Umoh hinted.
He recalled with nostalgia the role the media played against colonialism and military dictatorship in the past and which eventually aided in opening the doors of political independence and democratic rule in Nigeria, where the press was accorded a place in the 1999 Constitution of the Federation.
Appraising the state the media in Akwa Ibom, Umoh expressed concern about the numerous challenges bedevilling the media community in the state, adding that most private and government owned media outfits are struggling to survive, while others have been completely grounded, due largely to the high cost of components and running costs.
According to him, some practitioners with relevant qualifications to their career are jobless. Others suffer terminal ailments, yet still beams with smiles.
He, therefore, enjoined journalists to, in spite of the many ailments affecting them and logs on their path to progress, rise as one to clear the Armageddon that is about to sink them and besmirch the profession.
In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ememobong and Aniekan Umanah reassured the journalists of the State Government’s readiness to continue to partner the media community in the state, while they urged professionals to uphold objectivity in their reportage.
The duo urged journalists to be innovative, stressing the need to create other sources of income to survive the current hash economic situation in Nigeria.
They assured journalists of the numerous programmes of government to better the lives of the citizens.
Speaking too, the State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk applauded the outstanding performance of most journalists in the State, adding that the pen pushers have done their best to project the State in good light.
While appreciating resource persons and the organizers of the media summit, Amos Etuk stated that four Akwa Ibom personalities have been nominated to be honoured by the union’s national leadership at the NUJ Media Icon Award taking place in Lagos on 17 October, 2024.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the summit will help to foster a better relationship between the media community and the State Government.
Speaking on Ethical and Responsible Journalism, the co-chairman of the event, Comrade Cletus Ukpong urged journalists in the state to be civil and responsible in their reportage, stressing that journalists in the state are not at war with the State Government.
Mr Abasifreke Effiong, the Editor of The Atlantic Observer who presented a paper on Evaluation of the Relationship between Public Relations Officials of Government, Organisations and Journalists in Akwa Ibom, advocated a change of attitude by media relations managers towards journalists in the State.
He equally called for a review and thorough planning of media relations strategies and programmes to preserve the dignity of journalists, cultivate long-term friendship through collaborative projects with journalists and media houses and the need to assist journalists with data-sourcing, capacity building, equipment fund, quick and positive response to information requests.
Other papers presented at the event were Media Practice in Akwa Ibom: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Dr. (Mrs) Idongesit Ashameri; Challenges of Media Industry in Akwa Ibom by Idorenyin Aquaisua, Opportunities for for Media Sustainability by Ekemini Simon and Examination of Press Freedom in Akwa Ibom by Comrade Franklyn Isong.
Others who spoke at the event were the General Manager of Comfort F.M, Comrade Comfort Umanah and the State COOPA Chancellor, Mr Utitofon Morgan.
