ALGON Chairman: Amos Etuk-led NUJ has restored my confidence in journalism
More accolades and eulogies have continued to trail the leadership style of the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk.
The latest come from the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Engr. Iniobong Robson.
Speaking at the ALGON Secretariat, Uyo, when the NUJ chairman accompanied members of NUJ 2020 Press Week pay a courtesy call on the new ALGON Chairman, Hon Iniobong Robson observed that he had since lost faith in the pen profession, owing to high level of abuse, especially in the social media but acknowledged that Comrade Amos Etuk’s commitment towards re-branding the Union has made him to have a rethink.
The Esit Eket Local Government Chairman had identified the media and judiciary as part of Nigeria’s problems for failing to play their watchdogs roles in the society, the development he said he caused him to be apprehensive about the two professions.
He expressed dismay that rather than highlighting the ills in the society and holding those in position of authority accountable to the people, the media in the state took delight in blackmail and sycophancy.
According to Hon Iniobong Robson, recent developments in the Akwa Ibom State Council of NUJ have spurred him to identify with the Union.
While pointing out that Comrade Amos Etuk has a true spirit of a leader, the APGON boss particularly lauded him for his maturity and patience.
The council boss recalled the euphoria that greeted Comrade Amos Etuk’s emergence as NUJ Chairman and expressed happiness that he has lived up to expectation.
He also expressed pleasure with the disposition of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Akwa Ibom State Chapter, saying that he was surprised that NUJ women group could oganise a thanksgiving service without a single politician in attendance after one of their own, Comrade Helen Udofa emerged the National Secretary of NAWOJ in a National Election in Minna, Niger State, the situation he said further rekindles his confidence in Akwa Ibom State Council.
The ALGON chairman pledged the continuos support of the Association to both the NUJ and NAWOJ and enjoined them to keep the flag flying.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk pledged the readiness of his administration to continue to raise the bar of excellence in journalism profession.
Comrade Amos Etuk noted that his administration is poised to reward excellence with a view to encouraging professionalism in the Union, adding the 2019 NUJ Press Week witnessed the introduction of Ambassadorial that saw the Public Relations Officer of ALGON, Hon Itoro Columba emerged as one f the beneficiaries.
The NUJ chairman noted that the 2020 Press week will feature more innovations, including the introduction of An Evening With the Legends of Journalism Profession, a platform that will give the new generation of journalists opportunity to interact with the likes of the deputy governor of the state, Obong Moses Ekpo.
while acknowledging the contributions of the deputy governor to the development of the Union, Comrade Amos Etuk thanked the state government for the support, describing Obong Moses Ekpo as an asset to the profession.
He expressed optimism that the 2020 Press week will take Akwa Ibom to the national limelight, having attracted national figures who have confirmed their readiness to grace the occasion.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of ALGON, Hon Itoro Columba, stated that Comrade Amos Etuk comes with a breath of fresh air to the Union and lauded him in the fight against quackery, a canker-worm he regretted has been giving the Union a bad image, adding that “we can now decipher who a journalist is and draw the line between professional journalists and quacks”..
The Ikono Councy boss commended Comrade Nsibiet John-led Organising Committee for being the first to coordinate Press Week for two consecutive years, pointing out that the Committee did a fantastic job in 2019 and urged them to sustain the tempo.
The Chaiman, 2020 Press Week Organising Committee, Comrade Nsibiet John had reeeled out activities marking the Week and solicited ALGON’s support to make the occasion a success.
