Gov. Umo Eno commissioning the Ultra Modern NUJ Auditorium Complex in Uyo, assisted by NUJ President, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya (1st L); AKS Deputy Gov. Sen. Akon Eyakenye (2nd L); AKS First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Obareki (4th L) and others at the occasion.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commended journalists in the state for using their various platforms to promote the state rather than de-marketing it as obtainable in some other places.
The Governor said this on Friday, August 1, while inaugurating an ultra modern NUJ Auditorium Complex located within the the massive Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat along Information Drive in Uyo, and presenting brand new cars to the Executive members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Union.
He commended the State Council of NUJ for promoting the ARISE Agenda and the Akwa Ibom project.
“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.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk 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.
Comrade Etuk therefore, pledged the Union’s commitment to supporting the Governor Eno-led administration to ensure the successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda.
On his part, the Commissioner for Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah, and the President of NUJ, 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.
