Akwa Ibom journalists are to undergo compulsory COVID-19 test to determine their status in the society.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong stated this during New Year Thanksgiving service by Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom Council at Living Faith Church, Ikot Obong in Ikot Abasi on Sunday, January 17.
”If you stay in the isolation centre, you will understand how expensive it is. It is cheaper to test than to contact and wait for treatment. Lagos isolation centres are overrun because of upsurge,” Ememobong said.
Reading Jer. 30:19 and Romans 13:1, he emphasized the need for people even journalists to obey government particularly the pandemic rules, frowning at some of them who did not wear facemask aimed at checking the spread of virus.
He warned against people flouting COVID-19 rules, and journalists to refrain from blackmail, falsehood and character assassination in the course of their duty seen as some iniquities.
He, therefore, enjoined journalists to embrace the COVID-19 protocol particularly wearing of facemask, among other measures to help in contacting or checking the virus.
The state Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James thanked the union for the thanksgiving service and lauded the strong bond between his union and NUJ.
James saw his visit to Ikot Abasi as home coming having served as a union leader in ALSCON for nine years, saying during his tenure he succeeded in getting approval for payment of salary arrears to some ALSCON staffers.
The state NUJ Chairman, Amos Etuk explained that the union adopted the rotational thanksgiving service in 2013 to enable journalists to traverse the state to knowing the challenges and prospects of the state.
Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis, representing Etinan state Constituency in Akwa Ibom House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Information appreciated the union for the understanding between them and journalists.
Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh representing Ikot Abasi State Constituency and Chairman on Finance and Appropriation Committee, congratulated journalists on the thanksgiving and called for greater cooperation.
