Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
A group of media professionals in the State under the umbrella of Itu Media professionals’ Forum (IMPF) have resorted to using media as a tool for the development of their immediate community.
This was made known by its Chairman, Pastor Saviour Ekpe, while leading the body on a visit to the Itu Local Government Traditional Rulers Council at the palace of the paramount ruler at Ayadehe.
Pastor Ekpe, who is also the publisher of Century Newsfront Newspapers, commended the efforts of the TRC towards the sustenance of peace and development in their domain.
While emphasizing on the need for the council to see IMPF as its mouthpiece, he stressed that the formation of the body was for media practitioners from Itu Local Government to ensure that while development is brought to other communities via their practices, it would be pertinent to look inward and serve as a medium through which Itu can also be salvaged from underdevelopment and also place it firmly on the map of the state where development could reach the grassroots. He called on royal fathers to reach out to the group anytime their attention is needed for possible media action.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Itu Local Government Area, His Royal majesty, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang thanked the forum for deeming it fit to identify with the traditional council to foster progress and development in the council, emphasizing the essence of media for the offshoot of a community with the view to showcasing it to the state and nation at large.
He said that powers belong to the people and the traditional councils are the head of the people which politicians have failed to understand; stressing that until politicians respect traditional institution, then will others give respect to the institution as it ought to be. The royal father said that nowadays people do not accord due respect to elders but will always want their support in times of need; adding that his council does not take anything to pervade justice but will always continue to do what is right.
He maintained that the royal father view it as great embarrassment to the institution especially during public function, where traditional heads are supposed to feature prominently and give their blessings are not organized the way it should be because those in offices seem to be occupying the place do not see any need to reserve and labeled seats for royal fathers as it is done elsewhere.
On the area of abuse in some communities, he decried the helpless situations which some politicians have caused by providing some youth with arms for election purposes and when they get to office, they face their own issues and those whom they had supplied ammunitions will in turn use same ammunitions to terrorize the society. He observed that this also leads to the multiplicity of cultism. However, he called on Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to make laws prohibiting outright sales of land or houses to strangers but rather give out on lease. He applauded IMPF on their effort to partner with the council for progress and pledged to work with them.
