By Julian Obasi
A Veteran journalist and retired reporter with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Elder Okokon Ukpanyang has appealed to the Federal Government to adequately equip its broadcast stations across the country to restore efficiency and dignity in the industry.
Elder Ukpanyang made the appeal during an informal visit to his residence by members of the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
After more than five years of retirement from the FRCN, Elder Ukpanyang said he was pleased to know that despite its numerous challenges, the Corporation has continued to set the pace in Radio Broadcasting through improved content of its programmes and reportage.
While commending the management of the Corporation for sustaining quality broadcast in the country, he called for special attention to be given to some of the Radio Nigeria FM stations in the country that need to be revived especially Canaan City FM, Calabar which has been off air for a while.
“lt used to be an abomination for FRCN to be off air. lt never happened in my time. FRCN was always on air because people loved to listen to it. Federal government must do something about the infrastructural deficit bedeviling the Corporation. l plead with the government to carry out equipment upgrade to improve some of the FM stations in the country, especially Canaan City FM, in Calabar.”
“The trainings we had and courses we were sent on, l don’t think those of you who are still in active service enjoyed them. l want those of you who are still there to put in your best with the available facilities and equipment. l believe that someday, your efforts will pay off.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary Education Board, Cross River State, Pastor Eyo Offiong, while attributing his success in life to the journalism profession, called on media professionals to commit themselves to the tenets of the profession.
“We are all journalists, and I advice that whenever you are given an opportunity to serve, please, do it to the best of your knowledge, understanding and ability, so that people can see your efforts and applaud you. We must try as much as we can to bring journalistic ethics and standard to bare in the discharge of our responsibilities in order to earn trust.”
Also, Mrs Pauline Eba, who retired as a deputy director from the State Ministry of Information advised those still in active service to plan for retirement life.
On her part, the State Chairman of NUJ, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey said the visit was part of activities lined up to observe the 2025 NUJ media week in the State.
“We still talk about you, we still remember you. We still remember your works, your contributions to the development of journalism in Cross River State. And so when we were planning the activities for the media week, we thought of what to do for our veterans who contributed so much to the NUJ in the State and we agreed on going to spend some time with them.
The idea was that it should be a surprise. Therefore, we have come to say, we love you and we miss having you around us as it used to be. We want you to know that we pray for you and we cherish you so much. We also have something very little to share with you.
Hopefully, this will assist you to buy some fruits and we promise that as God gives us the grace, we will drop by from time to time, to see how you are fairing.”The NUJ State Council also visited other retired veteran journalists including Mr Peter Okon, who retired as Director News and Current Affairs, Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC.
