-Ikpoto Okon Osung has posited that he put his life on the line and dared General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to declare the June 12 presidential election free and fair.
The history of the June 12 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest election in Nigeria, cannot be complete without acknowledging and recognising the contributions of the ace journalist and elder statesman, Ikpoto Okon Osung.
Ikpoto Okon Osung, who jails from Oro Nation in Akwa Ibom State, made the remark when members of 2020 NUJ Press Week Planning Committee, paid him homage in his Uyo residence, Ewet Housing Estate.
He disclosed that he played a crucial role in the image that election assumes today which many tend to ignore and commended the Committee and Akwa Ibom State Council of NUJ for recognising his contributions not only in the development of journalism profession but also in nation building.
The two-term Vice President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, maintained that as the Chairman of the June 12 Elections Monitoring Committee, he had the mandate to authenticate and ratify the results of the election and when the from various polling units pointed to Chief MKO Abiola as winner, he was under pressure from General Ibrahim Babangida’s miilitary junta to discredit the polls, but stood his ground and declared the election free and fair.
Accoding to him, he did so for the sake of posterity, despite the fact that his life was on line, having received repeated death threats and escaped several attempts to kill him.
The one time NUJ presidential aspirant insisted that he has paid his due in nation building and development of Akwa Ibom, observing that he was in the forefront of agitation for creation the state, alongside Chief Antigua Eyoh Basset, even when some Ibibio and Annang sons “wanted to die in Calabar” because of their properties there.
The Adaha Akwa Ibom posited that he has played key role in the emergence of almost all the democratically elected governors of Akwa Ibom State, including Obong Akpan Isemin of the blessed memory, Obong Victor Attach and Chief Godswill Akpabio, stressing that it would be unfair for people to confine his profile and popularity to just Oro ethnic enclave.
The ace journalist reasoned that “all these possibilities were because of the training in journalism and trade unionism” in his heydays and lauded Akwa Ibom Council of NUJ for the honour and recognition, having served the Union some 35 years ago.
Ikpoto Okon Osung described the theme of the 2020 Press Week, “Media, Capacity Development and Nation Building in a COVID-19 Era”, as apt in view of the present situation and urged the planning committee and the Union in general to keep the flag flying, pledging his readiness to be part of the event.
Earlier in his remarks,the Chairman of NUJ 2020 Press Week Planning Committee, Comrade Nsibiet John, informed the media icon-turned politician that the committee was in his residence to intimate him of the programmes and activities marking the week-long event and acknowledged his contributions to nation building and journalism profession.
While explaining that the Committee has the mandate to identity journalists from the state who have distinguished themselves in the profession with a view to honouring them, Comrade Nsibiet John informed Ikpoto Okon Osung the Union has nominated him to share panel with some living legends of the profession from the state in a part entitled “An Evening with Legends of Journalism Profession”.
Comrade Nsibiet John disclosed that NUJ introduced the package into this yeaer’s Press Week in view of its desire to honour veteran in the profession as well as tap from their pool of experience and knowledge.
He maintained that the event, slated for Tuesday, 8th December, 2020, will witness legends of Journalism profession brainstorming on topical issues and share their philosophies and ideals, which he hoped could help shape journalism profession.
According to the Committee chairman, the interactive session will see Ikpoto Okon Osung discuss with the likes of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo; former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu; former Director of Information, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information, Comfort Umanah and Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, Elder Paul Bassey.
