Akakan Umoh
The ex-member who represented Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, has called on journalists in the state to undergo financial literacy for their personal growth.
Luke, who spoke this at the Leadership Summit for members of the State Working Committee and Chapel officers organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, as part of the activities marking the first anniversary of the Comrade Nsibiet John administration on Thursday, July 30, 2026, said the literacy was the cornerstone of sustainable leadership and personal growth.
He emphasised the need for journalists to buy bonds by Central Bank of Nigeria, invest in Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs), shares and formed Cooperative Society in order to benefit more from some government loans.
The ex-Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, called on the union consider as a priority to mount a workshop on financial literacy for journalists as well as to go into collaboration with CBN to mounting seminars to enlighten the rural dwellers on some policies that may affect them in the future.
‘‘During my pursuit for Doctorate in Philosophy in Law, my research cut across CBN, Federal Consumer Protection Agency (FGPA) and other financial institution. So, I want to join FGPA to knowing many things on the rights of the masses and how to defend such,’’ he asserted.
Former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, who chaired the opening session, urged participants to approach the summit with open minds and a strong commitment to learning.
On leadership challenges, Luke identified Ego, Emotion, Social and Inertia Defaults, and noted that effective leadership requires continuous capacity building, adding that union leaders may struggle to respond adequately to emerging challenges without the requisite knowledge and skills.
‘‘I want the participants to embrace self-leadership as a precursor to leading others, encourage them to cultivate discipline, integrity, continuous learning, and personal accountability. I want to also underscore the importance of financial literacy as a cornerstone of sustainable leadership and personal growth.
‘‘I challenge the leaders at every level to be intentional about the legacy they build — encouraging them to strive to etch their names in the hearts of the people, a far more enduring monument than any structure of brick and mortar, which time may erode.’’
Luke formally declared the summit open and charged participants to take advantage of the wealth of experience and knowledge offered by the resource persons, stressing that leadership development remains essential to the growth and effectiveness of any organisation.
The Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, who delivered the keynote address, described leadership as the capacity to identify and address the needs of followers.
He recalled his involvement in pioneering a journalists’ housing estate in Lagos at a time when many media practitioners could not afford to own homes and highlighted efforts aimed at improving the welfare of journalists in Akwa Ibom State.
Umanah said the summit’s theme underscored the important relationship between the government and the media, stressing that editorial independence entails the freedom to pursue truth and uphold professional standards without compromise. He urged the NUJ leadership to establish a comprehensive journalists’ cooperative that would incorporate savings, insurance and retirement planning for members.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Sunny James, commended the longstanding relationship between the NLC and the NUJ.
He reminded participants that the applause and recognition associated with leadership positions are temporary, noting that leaders must sometimes make difficult decisions without the benefit of public approval.
James called for renewed investment in investigative journalism and urged the NUJ to prioritise the training of its members in computer-based testing, digital skills and computer literacy to enhance their capacity and competitiveness in the evolving media landscape.
Speaking on leadership within the union, veteran journalist and pioneer treasurer of the union, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Comfort Umanah, noted that leadership had evolved into a recognised field of study in tertiary institutions.
Some participants at NUJ Leadership Summit in Akwa Ibom
She stressed that occupying a leadership position in the union does not absolve any journalist of professional responsibilities.
Umanah advised union leaders to acquaint themselves with the NUJ’s organisational structure and affiliate bodies, while remaining open to constructive criticism, even when it is uncomfortable.
She described the relationship between leadership and management as a continuous balancing act that requires wisdom, discipline and adaptability.
Comrade Comfort Umanah
Earlier, the state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John had reflected on the challenges of leading journalists amid unresolved welfare concerns.
While acknowledging that some expected welfare packages were yet to be secured, he expressed optimism that the union’s constructive engagement with the state government would yield positive results.
John said Governor Umo Eno had assured the union that some of its concerns would receive attention, adding that the leadership remained committed to strengthening professionalism, welfare and unity among journalists in the state.
He thanked the resource persons and members for their support and participation, describing the summit as an opportunity for union leaders to broaden their knowledge and explore opportunities available to media professionals.
The summit, held at the Patience Umo Eno Auditorium of the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, was themed, Journalism and Leadership: Balancing Editorial Independence with Government Policies brought together union leaders, government officials, media professionals and resource persons to examine the responsibilities of journalists as professionals and leaders within the union.
The anniversary programme reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening leadership capacity, advancing members’ welfare, promoting professionalism and fostering greater unity among journalists in Akwa Ibom State as the Council marks one year of the current administration.
