As Nigerian editors visited him in the office, Pastor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom Governor, has advocated free press that is unbiased in their reportage.
According to him, a free press where journalists can praise, criticize, comment and advise where necessary without undermining the ethics of the profession is necessary.
He tasked journalists to be conscious of their sacred responsibility of shaping people’s orientation and social order, being the conscience of the society.
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Eno stated this when the executive members of Nigerian Guild of Editors led by National President, Eze Anaba, paid him a courtesy visit, before the 19th All Nigerian Editors Conference, (ANEC), kicked off from Wednesday 15 to Friday, 18 November 2023 at the Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo.
“We need a free press that is very unbiased in their reportage; you give praise where you have to, comment where you have to, make suggestions where you have to and criticise where you have to because you are the conscience of the society and everyone relies on the press because of its agenda setting disposition,” Eno remarked.
He emphasised the need for journalists to uphold the integrity of the profession by striving to maintain objectivity in their reportage.
The Governor who welcomed the media eggheads to the state thanked the leadership of the Guild of Editors for choosing Akwa Ibom for the all-important conference, expressing optimism that the conference will afford them the opportunity to savour the rich culture and cuisines of the State.
Reiterating his administration’s resolve to maintain the already robust partnership with the media community, he said this was demonstrated in his recent approval of 50 media appointees.
He noted that his administration is not opposed to constructive criticisms, but is committed to driving a narrative of governance that aimed at making the rural dwellers reap the dividends of democracy and build trust in government.
These, the governor clarified, underscore the initiative of model primary school, model primary healthcare facilities, and the one project per local government area initiative among other lofty interventions as encapsulated in his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
“Since we came on board in the last six months, we have proven that during the campaigns, we didn’t just do vain promises. We carried out our assessment and decided to concentrate on our rural areas. So, we developed the ARISE Agenda comprising Agriculture, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Security and Education.
“We are really focused on developing our rural communities, exposing our rural areas to government facilities and exposing our children to opportunities that we believe, if we give to them, they will excel.
“We are building model primary schools, we are building primary healthcare centres in line with the sustainable development goals.
“All we ask is that you help us tell the Akwa Ibom story as a people-centric government. You can also criticize us or suggest to us.”
Earlier, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, while thanking the governor for accepting to host the guild in the state, had lauded the continuum in the government of Akwa Ibom State and extolled the ARISE Agenda of the State which, he affirmed, was already yielding dividends.
Anaba said the development strides of successive governments in the state and its peaceful ambience, have undoubtedly made Akwa Ibom a choice destination for all, as demonstrated in the unprecedented number of delegates to the 2023 ANEC.
The President who was happy at the development strides in the state said, “we’ve been following your ARISE Agenda and Akwa Ibom seems to be the only state in Nigeria where there is a continuum in government; and in terms of governance, the government of Akwa Ibom has produced enough for the citizenry. So, it is now for the people to know what to do with the good governance they’re enjoying.”
In the NGE delegation were Deputy President, Husseina Bangshika; Vice President (East), Sheddy Ozoene; Vice President (West), Kabir Alabi; Vice President (North), Umoru Ibrahim; General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren; Assistant General Secretary; Gabriel Akinadewo, treasurer; Steve Nwosu and Charles Kalu, Social/Publicity Secretaries, among others.
