The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has inaugurated an ultra- modern NUJ Auditorium Complex and presented brand new vehicles to members of the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Inaugurating the auditorium located within the Union’s Secretariat in Uyo, Governor Eno commended Journalists on the need to be objective in their reportage.
He commended the members for promoting the State rather than demarketing it.
“It’s not about fighting the Governor or government, but about your true loyalty to Akwa Ibom for meaningful development and progress.”
“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.
Lauding efforts of the NUJ leadership, the Governor donated vehicles to the outgoing State Working Committee members 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 thanked the union for naming the new Auditorium 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.”
Governor Eno assured the in-coming leadership of the Union of the Government’s readiness to partner for the development and growth of the State.
“For the incoming NUJ Exco, 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.
Earlier, the outgoing NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk thanked Governor Eno for fulfilling his campaign promise to the union by completing the auditorium which has been abandoned for about 20 years.
Comrade Etuk 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.
On his part, the NUJ President, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya, 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.
Source: IKECHUKWU AGBAMEGBUE, UYO
