In the performance of their duty, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong said journalists are bound to make friends and enemies.
Ememobong made this declaration at the 2021 thanksgiving service by Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom Council at Qua Iboe Church, 112 Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, held on Sunday, December 5, declaring he commissioner, however, declared that journalists have neither friends nor enemies.
He said in an attempt to balance a news story, journalists can make enemies, noting ‘’This is in line with his professional calling. He can make friends or enemies in order to do his job well. Let the public understand them well.’’
Giving an insight into the smooth working relationship, Governor Udom Emmanuel said that the state government places a high premium on press freedom.
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He appreciated the contributions of the media to the growth and development of the society, describing journalism practice as tasking, and announced the government’s N10 million donation to the week-long celebration.
In his message on the theme: A season of new song, the Superintendency Pastor, Rev (Dr.) Iniobong Udoh, declared that God has a new song for the NUJ and its members in the state.
Reading from 2 Samuel 1:1-5, Udoh said King David offered thanksgiving to God for the mercy, exemption from attacks and frustration of enemies he enjoyed from God, stressing the need for Christians to always show gratitude to God.
The state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, in his thanksgiving message, said that God’s benevolence on the union has been tremendous since he came into office in 2019, adding this year’s Press Week was not going to be just another celebration, but a time to infer into the future, as Nigeria negotiates the 2023 corner.
”This explains the choice of the theme, Politics, National Unity, and the Quest for Credible Elections in 2023:The Role of Journalism.
”This year’s Press Week is for celebration of excellence and a time to reflect on our roles in the past during the build-up to general elections and project into the expectations from us by the society on the way to 2023 elections,” Etuk said.
In a goodwill message delivered by the state chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunny James lauded the cooperation between the labour and NUJ.
Describing journalism as a thankless job, James encouraged journalists to be undeterred in the performance of their sacred duty to the public.
