Learning at the Masters’ feet: Memories of ‘An Evening with Legends of Journalism Profession’
The date, 8th December, 2020 will remain memorable and remarkable in the history of Journalism profession in Akwa Ibom State.
It was a day media practitioners practically sat at the feet of veterans of Journalism from the state and learned from their wealth of experiences.
The occasion was christened “An Evening with Legends of Journalism Profession”, an initiative of Comrade Amos Etuk-led Akwa Ibom State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists and one of the highlights of the 2020 NUJ Press Week spearheaded by Comrade Nsibiet John.
The event was the convergence of Creme De La Creme in journalism profession in the the state as veterans took turns to narrate their experiences, ordeals and baptism of fire in the profession to the excitement and amazement of the younger generation of Journalists.
The likes of the deputy governor of the state, Obong Moses Ekpo; a one-time Vice President of NUJ, Ikpoto Okon Osung: the Chairman, Akwa United Football Club, Sir Paul Bassey; and a retired Director in the state Ministry of Information and Strategy, Dr Comfort Umanah took the audience down the memory lane of their hey days.
Obong Moses Ekpo: Hazzard of Journalism
The Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Obong Moses Ekpo who set the ball rolling, held the audience spellbound as he narrated his ordeals in a profession full of hazzards, including his short walk to prison and his legendary confrontation with Efik tradition when he wrote exclusive story on the death of Obong of Calabar, Edidem Essien Essien 11 with official proclamation.
The deputy governor, who mobbed the story from grapevine and observations, posited that his nose for news and the knack for scoop inspired him to write the legendary news that forced him to run to and take refuge in his country home, Abak.
According to him, his greatest perils in the prodession was when he arrested by the army in the Newsroom during a couple where he went to jail for six months.
Obong Moses Ekpo recalled that he could have been a retired military officer or banker and pointed out that his romance with journalism started in his school days when his excellent reportage of school events for notice board led to the establishment of the college magazine, The Link.
Ikpoto Okon Osung: Neutrality is the key
Ikpoto Okon Osung has seen it all in the profession. As a former vice president of NUJ and presidential aspirant, Ikpoto Okon Osung insisted that the secret of the profession is Neutralilty and charting the middle part in political conflicts.
Using his travails during political conflicts in the Old Cross River State Ikpoto Okon Osung warned Journalists against inheriting enemies of politicians.
He described Obong Moses Ekpo as his greatest inspiration in the profession and expressed joy for being honoured alongside the deputy governor at a legendary evening organised the younger generation of Journalists.
Comfort Umanah and Paul Bassey: Early interest/environment matter
For Dr Comfort Umanah and Sir Paul Bassey, early exposure and interest influenced their choice of Journalism as a profession.
While Comfort Umanah was privileged to watch television broadcaster at the tender age, Obong Paul Bassey said he lived near a stadium and that inspired his in sport Journalism.
The chairman on the occasion was impressed with the Amos Etuk-led NUJ for the initiative to choose a day to honour the Legends in their life time, noting that the feat “rarely happens in our climes”.
Against this background, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Comrade Ini Ememobong, charged the younger generation of Journalists to emulate the veterans by raising the bar in objective and responsible reportage if they desire to be honoured in like manner.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk, who said the Evening belongs to the Legends, described it as the “biggest night of the Press Week”.
Comrade Amos Etuk noted that the event was predicated on recognising the contributions of veterans who have carved a strong nitch for themselves by enhancing the journalism profession.
He said his administration has raised the bar of professionalism, adding that the atats council can now boast of membership strength of over 600, including the state deputy governor.
