By Christiana Ofem
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State chapter, Comrade Nsa Gill, on Tuesday 15 January 2024, commissioned TheInvestigator Journalism Development and Innovation Hub in Calabar, the state capital.
The Cross River NUJ Chairman in a witty speech asserted that the union is committed to the growth and development of journalists and the practice hence the need for a hub solely focused on that.
Comrade Gill lauded the initiative assuring that “We have been talking and I can assure you of our support.”
Advocating for more initiative, he maintained that innovation and development are key in journalism to stay updated.
Relatively, the State Chapter Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr Ben Okache lauded the team behind the hub.
Committing to work with TheInvestigator Journalism Development and Innovation Hub, Mr Okache sued for the maintenance of ethics.
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“We want to see the marriage of journalism and public relations to better inform the society, venturing into this sector is a good one,” the Cross River NIPR Chairman said.
On his part, the State Civil Society Network Coordinator, Leader Ben Usang noted that the hub is a testimony to the robust collaboration between the media and the civil society sector in the State.
Thumbing up the initiative, Leader Usang said “We are happy about this development and we can confidently say this is our own.”
Leader Usang urged CSOs in the state to utilise the facility and support its growth.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Raphael Offiong said the initiative is timely.
Urging for grassroots impact, Prof. Offiong advised “Your work should not stop here (Calabar) take it to communities.”
Relatively, the State NUJ Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Mrs Eme Offiong committed to supporting the hub as well as sued for openness.
She pointed out that only through initiatives such as this can the journalism profession represent what it truly stands for.
In another goodwill message, the State Coordinator for Partners for Peace (P4P), Mr Ukorebi Essien projected that the hub will be successful.
He noted that as a peace network, they will support in any way they can.
Mr Gabriel Adim, a staff of the Mary Slessor Foundation noted that the world revolves around ideas.
He called for robust partnerships.
Mrs Eseoghene Ibor, a Board of Trustee Member of TheInvestigator Journalism Development and Innovation Foundation, owners of the hub said standards would be maintained in its activities.
Reiterating the commitment of the board to ensuring that the hub actualises its objectives.
Earlier, the Director of TheInvestigator Journalism Development and Innovation Hub, Comrade Jeremiah Archibong noted that the hub was born out of the need to take the bull by the horns.
Archibong, while welcoming the guests to the event, revealed that the services offered by the hub are coworking space, skills development, research and social experiments, and a venue for meetings and workshops.
The Director of the hub thanked The ICIR, MacArthur Foundation and The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) for their support.
Comrade Archibong is the immediate past Managing Editor of CrossRiverWatch and a Board of Trustees member of the Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ).