Umo Eno’s Car Gift to Journalists – Another Example of Inclusion

Umo Eno’s Car Gift to Journalists – Another Example of Inclusion

By Hillary Owowo

On Friday, 1st August, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, gave further proofs of the inclusive template of the ARISE Agenda which cuts across every sector of the State’s economy.

Three memorable things happened that day courtesy of His Excellency. The governor commissioned an ultra- modern NUJ Auditorium Complex which, in appreciation by the NUJ, is named after his departed wife and First Lady of the State, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State

That same day, His Excellency presented brand new cars to members of the State Working Committee of the Union. That was in fulfilment of an earlier made during a Thanksgiving Service held early in the year by Journalists at Ikot Ekpene Udo, the governor’s home town. The eruption of joy that came with the presentation of the vehicles to beneficiaries simply pointed to what happens when a leader loves his people with action than with mere words or statements that could be dismissed as “political”. He promised. He delivered. A man to be trusted.

Besides, I got to know that, prior to the commissioning of the Patience Umo Eno Auditorium, the governor had injected considerable financial support towards the completion of the project that had stood like dummy monument for years. On top of that, the outgoing Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Amos Etuk, was promptly appointed as Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Media.

It was indeed a harvest of benevolence and goodwill for the Journalists whose gratitude and joy couldn’t have been hidden as they sang and danced in appreciation of a leader who has demonstrated love, concern, inclusion and solidarity to the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

That gesture, no doubt, has further strengthened his ties with the media community and pointed the way for stronger and robust synergy aimed at reporting Akwa Ibom in green light.

The governor In his remark, before inauguration of the complex located within the Union’s Secretariat along Information Drive in Uyo, therefore commended the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists for promoting the ARISE Agenda and the Akwa Ibom project.

He lauded the Union for deploying their various platforms to promote the State rather than demarketing it as obtainable in some other places. That alone is a fact. The media in Akwa Ibom has done marvelously in flying the State’s flag of multidimensional growth and development under the ARISE Agenda.

His Excellency adequately acknowledged that:

“You have made your profession not about fighting the Governor or government, but about your true loyalty to Akwa Ibom for its meaningful development and progress.

“Why? Because this is our brand. This is the only State that we have. Government would come, government would go, but Akwa Ibom remains constant. So, I want to thank you and your leadership for the collaborative work that you have done in the State,” he stated.

The Governor appreciated the State NUJ leadership for naming the new NUJ Auditorium Complex after his late wife, Patience Kemi Umo Eno, saying, “It is not something that I expected. It’s a bit emotional, but as I continue to see people immortalize her, it gives us, as a family, comfort that she didn’t live her life in vain. So, I want to thank you so much for this honour.”

Pastor Eno therefore assured the in-coming State Executive members of the Union of the Government’s readiness to continue to work in partnership for the development and growth of the State.

It would be recalled that earlier in the year, the Governor also had given an SUV Jeep to the Union”s chairman. Put together, the cars and commissioned auditorium will surely boost the morale of the Journalists and position them for greater commitments to professionalism. It also implies that more objective reportage on government’s attainments is going to emanate from that vibrant community.

Comrade Amos Etuk did not hide his joy. “This appointment comes because we expect you to continue with the good work; continue to galvanize the media in development of our State. Only a leader who cares about Journalists can do what His Excellency has done. We as a Union cannot take this wonderful gesture for granted”.

He acknowledged the Governor’s numerous contributions towards the success of the project even before he assumed office as Governor, describing the achievement as a landmark that has further endeared the governor to Journalists, a feat he said has never been recorded anywhere in the country since independence.

Comrade Etuk therefore, pledged the Union’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Umo Eno-led administration to ensure the successful implementation of the ARISE Agenda.

The outpour of thanks and commendations by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, and the President of NUJ, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya, were emphatic proofs of His Excellency altruistic dispositions towards the media community in the State.

What else can we say? Thank You His Excellency for walking the talk!

Hillary Sunday Owowo writes from Uboro Isong Inyang in Udunguko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.