By Dianabasi Effiong
Sumedha Energy Limited, a joint venture with NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), and Ibom Developers FZE, have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to job creation and community development in Akwa Ibom State.
The recognition was conferred at the Annual Dinner and Award Night of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council.
The event also featured the unveiling of the 6th edition of the Critique Magazine and the launch of a ₦15 million solar power facility by the Correspondents’ Chapel.
Sen. Ita Enang, Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, who was Chairman of the occasion, presented the award to the Media Manager of Sumedha Energy Limited and Ibom Developers FZE, Aniekeme Finbarr, who received the awards behalf of the organisations.
Finbarr expressed appreciation to the Correspondents’ Chapel for the recognition, adding that it served as an honour and a responsibility to do more.
According to him, Sumedha Energy Limited, formerly Natural Oilfield Services Limited, operates as a joint venture with NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), while Ibom Developers FZE functions as an independent entity within the Free Zone, supporting oil processing and related infrastructure.
He emphasised that the companies’ operations in Akwa Ibom, which gained momentum between 2022 and 2023, have been guided by a commitment to sustainable development and community engagement.
Finbarr said the organisations had collectively contributed to the creation of over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly impacting livelihoods across host communities, adding that their community development initiatives between 2025 and early 2026 had delivered measurable outcomes in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
He said that more than 500 students had benefited from educational support programmes, while primary healthcare centres were renovated and outreach services expanded to underserved areas.
He said that women and entrepreneurs were also empowered through targeted training and business support initiatives.
He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local content.
According to him, Akwa Ibom indigenes occupy key positions across human resources, community development, and technical operations, with ongoing investments in capacity building by the company to prepare local talent for more specialised roles.
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Bassey Anthony, commended Sumedha Energy Limited, Ibom Developers FZE, and other partners for their continued support of the media and their contributions to societal development.
The top management staff of the organisations were present at the event, including Engr. Fabian Ebri and Senior Base Manager ACP (Rtd) Digha, alongside Community Development Programme (CDP) managers such as Grace Inyang, Emem Udoh, Patrick Ukpong, and Vivian Udofia.
The event brought together stakeholders from the media, government, and the private sector, celebrating excellence in journalism while recognising the impactful contributions of corporate organisations to economic development in Akwa Ibom State.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Emmanuel Abraham, highlighted the role of responsible leadership and strategic investments in driving sustainable growth and community transformation.
Abraham, who spoke on the theme, “Role of the Media in Shaping the Arise Agenda Legacy in Akwa Ibom State”, said that the media, as integral part of the ARISE Agenda, should transform the Agenda from a mere policy document into not only an inspiration but a life, lived, and living experiences for the government and the people of the state.
“By focusing on developmental journalism, the media should help to document and define a legacy centred on improved welfare, inclusive growth, and strategic development sustained through Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance, Security Management, and Educational/Health Advancement.
“The media’s role in the Agenda should own and emphasise the Renaissance and rebirth aspects of the agenda, signalling its can-do, must-do, and should-do spirits of the Akwa Ibom man,” he said.
The keynote speaker, who is Founder/Chairman, Board of Trustees, Topfaith Group of Schools and Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom, also urged media practitioners to transform the Agenda from the jargon to the real prosperity agenda for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
