Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council has agreed to partner with a Sociopolitical Organization, Ibom Mandate Crusaders, (IMC) to sensitize the public on government programmes.
The partnership was agreed upon today when Ibom Mandate Crusaders paid the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council a courtesy visit in their Secretariat, Uyo.
In his address, the International President of the group, Comrade Aniekan Ekwere noted that the mission of the group is to ensure the public through sensitization programmes especially at the grassroots have knowledge about activities and programmes of the State government. He said it is through sensitization that the people will have insight into government activities and opportunities that are open for grabs and thus see reasons to support government of the day.
The international President pointed out that the sensitization could only be actualized when the media is fully involved hence the reason seeking for the partnership with NUJ. Comrade Ekwere who spoke glowingly of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration said that his group have numerical strength of over 98,000 members with branches across the country and some parts of South Africa and United States of America are poised on supporting the government of the day to actualize its mandate.
In his response, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert commended the group for their patriotism in desiring to ensure the government succeeds.
He noted that the media in its cardinal role of information dissemination is expected among other responsibility to highlight programmes and activities of government especially on how it will affect the people. He expressed the Union readiness to do its best in publicizing the group’s activities. The Chairman charged the group to among its sensitization programmes educate the people on the need to play politics with ideals for the advancement of the society.
He added ” From the timetable we have seen, AKISIEC will soon conduct Local Government elections and serious politics will return. Politics should be based on issues and advancing superior ideas towards governance. Acceptance should be based on convictions not coercion or money inducement. Elections should not be a do or die affair.
“Development can only come to us if we understand what development is all about and with men who can interpret our collective desires. The problem we have today is that we have brought into offices men who do not know what to do. Offices should be occupied by those who are desirous of service and have the capacity to deliver”.
Elder Albert commended IMC for selling Akwa Ibom State beyond borders stressing that such gesture has the capacity to attract development partners into the State. He urged the group to Carry out their work in a way that the unity and development of the State will never be compromised.
