Israel Umoh
The Nigerian Union of Journalists Auditorium Complex, Akwa Ibom State Council started by Comrade Israel Umoh was inaugurated by Governor Umo Eno on Friday.
The project initially sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited later ExxonMobil and now Seplat started 20 years ago.
The multinational had paid to the union an initial N2.5 million for the commencement of the auditorium that could comfortably sit 2,000 guests. The foundation was laid and construction work began in earnest. The auditorium with a large gallery taken to lintel level before the end of Israel Umoh administration could not continue due to paucity of funds.
The project sitting on a 1.7 acres is located in the Union’s Secretariat along Information Drive, Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital.
Before inaugurating the project, Governor Eno commended the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists for promoting the ARISE Agenda and the Akwa Ibom project.
Eno further commended the Union members for using their various platforms to promote the State rather than demarketing it as obtainable in some other places.
“You have made your profession not about fighting the Governor or government, but about your true loyalty to Akwa Ibom for its meaningful development and progress.
“Why? Because this is our brand. This is the only State that we have. Government would come, government would go, but Akwa Ibom remains constant. So, I want to thank you and your leadership for the collaborative work that you have done in the State,” he stated.
In his appreciation of the good works of the NUJ leadership, the Governor donated vehicles to the outgoing State Executive and appointed the outgoing State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Amos Etuk, as a Senior Special Assistant on Local Media.
“This appointment comes because we expect you to continue with the good work; continue to galvanize the media in development of our State,” he stressed.
The Governor appreciated the State NUJ leadership for naming the new NUJ Auditorium Complex after his late wife, Patience Kemi Umo Eno, saying, “It is not something that I expected. It’s a bit emotional, but as I continue to see people immortalize her, it gives us, as a family, comfort that she didn’t live her life in vain. So, I want to thank you so much for this honour.”
Pastor Eno assured the in-coming State Executive members of the Union of the Government’s readiness to continue to work in partnership for the development and growth of the State.
“For the incoming NUJ Exco that will be elected tomorrow, whoever will win, please, let there be no victor no vanquished. Let there be no bad news concerning the elections. Continue to work together in unison for the overall progress of the State,” he said.
As a way of strengthening his ties with the media community, he presented brand 11 new cars to members of the State Working Committee of the union.
Eno who had earlier donated a jeep to the State Chairman, Amos Euk made the pledge during NUJ Thanksgiving service at the hometown of Governor Eno- Ikot Inyang Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area in January this year.
On his part, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said the auditorium was part of the chequered history of until the Governor’s intervention.
Umanah said completion of the project showed partnership between the media and the government and further cemented the relationship between journalists and the present administration.
He commended the Governor for his exceptional support and partnership with the Union, urging journalists to reciprocate the gesture by remaining resolute in their support for the Governor and development of the State.
The President of NUJ, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya described NUJ as a strong ally with government.
Yahaya recalled that when he vied for the union’s presidency, the Governor had prayed for him hence his success at the polls.
He called for Governor’s continued support to the union both at the state and national levels, pledging union’s support to his administration.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, had thanked Governor Eno for fulfilling his campaign promise to the union by completing the Secretariat project which has been abandoned for about 20 years.
He acknowledged the Governor’s numerous contributions towards the success of the project even before he assumed office as Governor, describing the achievement as a historical footprint which has never been recorded anywhere in the country since independence.
Highlighting the resolution of the last congress of the union, he said they decided to name the newly commissioned auditorium after the late first Lady, Mrs Patience (Kemi) Umo Eno as a mark of honour and in memory of her passionate contributions to the development of the State.
Etuk congratulated Comrade Israel Umoh who ruled from 2004 to 2007 for staring the project and bringing it to the level it was stalled due to dearth of funds.
He, therefore, pledged the union’s commitment to supporting the Umo Eno-led administration to ensure the successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda.
