NUJ Congratulates Gov Udom, Commends member

By Saviour Ekpe

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council in her traditional monthly congress held last week Friday April 27, 2019.

The congress, which was presided over by the State Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert at the Daniel Ekanem Congress Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Information Drive off IBB Way and attended by a cream of her members; members of the State Working Committee (SWC) including the State Vice Chairman, Mrs. Nene Afia; Secretary, Amos Etuk; Auditor, Pastor Saviour Ekpe among others had in a-nine-point communiqué, the union particularly commended a young, dynamic and result-oriented member, Comrade Abasi-Ifreke Effiong who made the union proud during the 2018 press week as Chairman of the Press Week Committee.

The Union further affirmed her stance on the peaceful nature of the just concluded 2019 general elections as conducted by INEC in Akwa Ibom State and congratulated the Executive governor of the State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for emerging victorious at the polls. The text of the communiqué reads:

1. The Union reviewed the just concluded 2019 general elections and noted that the elections in Akwa Ibom State were peaceful, free and fair compared to previous elections in the State.
2. The Union congratulated the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on his re-election. The Union equally congratulated other candidates who were elected during the elections, urged them to keep up the tempo of engagement with the electorate when they are sworn-in as they did during the electioneering.
3. The Union encouraged the State government to strive to complete the numerous on-going projects it initiated before starting new ones.
4. The Union charged politicians and public office holders to appoint qualified journalists as their media officers when the need arises, to avail them of good, professional services in information management, media relations and public engagements.
5. The Union called for the entrenchment of Electronic Card Reader in the electoral process, noted that the use of the device contributed to the reduction of electoral frauds and violence during the just concluded elections. The union urged INEC to address some of its logistic challenges, particularly in its transport section, to phase out the use of commercial vehicles in conveying election materials to polling units. This, the union believes will curtail sabotage by commercial transporters and the strife caused by party agents who attempt to “protect” election materials conveyed in commercial vehicles.
6. Congress agreed that the 2019 annual thanksgiving of the Union be held on Sunday, 5th May 2019, at Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church, Etoi Assembly, Uyo. Theme for the thanksgiving is, “Divine Enthronement”.
7. Congress encouraged members of the Union to participate in the 2019 Workers’ Day on Wednesday, May 1, and the World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, May 2, as against the official date being May 3.
8. Congress thanked the Grand Patron of the Union, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, for under-taking the construction of some aspects of the on-going two storey office complex at the press centre and appealed to him to keep up the support.
9. Congress commended the Chairman of the 2018 Press Week Committee, Comrade Abasifreke Effiong, for the outstanding success recorded by his committee and resolved that an award for outstanding performance be presented to him during the 2019 press week.

Signed

Elder Patrick Albert
Chairman, NUJ

Comrade Amos Etuk
Secretary, NUJ

Abasifreke Effiong
Chairman
Communiqué Drafting Committee