NUJ receives Institute of Safety Professionals on Partnership 

NUJ receives Institute of Safety Professionals on Partnership 

By Dominic Umoh

The Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has expressed readiness to partner with the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Akwa Ibom State Branch, to promote safety awareness, education, and best practices among journalists and the general public.

The State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Nsibiet John said this on Monday, November 10, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Institute to the NUJ Secretariat, Uyo.

In his remarks, Comrade Nsibiet John, lauded the efforts of the Safety Professionals in promoting safety consciousness across the state. He noted that issues of safety and security are collective responsibilities that demand continuous sensitization, discipline, and proactive engagement both at home and in workplaces.

ISPON State Coordinator, Mr. Ita Benson making his speech

He stressed that the collaboration between NUJ and ISPON would help enhance journalists’ capacity to report safety issues more effectively and encourage public adherence to safety regulations, while commending the Institute’s consistency in community engagement and public enlightenment, describing the proposed partnership as timely and strategic.

Presenting the Institute’s objectives, the State Coordinator of ISPON, Mr. Ita Benson, outlined key areas of collaboration with the NUJ, including research and policy development, training and capacity building, documentation of safety incidents, and emergency response coordination.

He explained that the partnership seeks to strengthen media-safety collaboration for effective information dissemination, establish a digital database for safety incident reporting, and provide professional input in government infrastructure and development projects.

Mr. Benson further highlighted that the collaboration would promote public safety awareness, enhance journalists’ knowledge in occupational health and safety, and foster a stronger policy framework for safety governance in Akwa Ibom State.

His words; “Safety is everyone’s responsibility- but the media is the voice that makes it heard. ISPON seeks NUJ’s partnership to make safety education a household message and a public culture in Akwa Ibom State.”

Speaking also at the meeting, the Treasurer of the Union, Comrade Udeme Hosea, commended the Institute for its efforts in promoting safety awareness and urged for continuous training to equip journalists with practical safety skills while on duty.

While the Auditor, Comrade Diamine Uko, raised key questions on emergency preparedness and called for targeted safety campaigns for media professionals, reaffirming the Union’s commitment to a safer work environment.

The event was attended by members of the State Working Committee (SWC) as they mark their one hundred days in office.