‘We Don’t Give Awards Carelessly’ _ NUJ Nat’l President
By The Evangelist News Edition, May 22, 2023. Admin.
The National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Chris Iziguzo, has hinted that the Union does not reward unmerited persons.
He stated this during the grand reception in honor of two illustrious sons of Akwa Ibom State, the deputy governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, MFR, and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, MNIPR, in Uyo on Saturday.
“We take out time to scrutinize awardees, and I can say that these ones are deserving of the awards”, he stated.
Comrade Ememobong received commendation and was awarded as the best commissioner in the South-South region.
“Comrade Ini Emembong is one of the best Commissioners we have ever produced in the South-South. He is driven by intellect, humility, initiative and ingenuity. He is an outstanding commissioner”, Isiguzo commended.
He commended the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ for the event, and proposed that it should be an annual gathering. He also counselled journalists to take their profession seriously as they are the watchdog of the society.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Mr Moses Ekpo, MFR, dedicated the awards to journalists in Akwa Ibom State for bringing honour to the state.
In their goodwill messages, the vice chairman of the state council, Comrade Margaret Moore, acknowledged the remarkable contributions of Comrade Ini Ememobong describing it as inspiring.
“Your amazing role as a friend, ally, and advocate within our union has had a profound impact on our growth and success. Your unwavering support, accessibility have strengthened our bond and fostered an atmosphere of collaboration and unity.
“Your dedication to press freedom, transparency, and accountability has been an inspiration to us all”, she said.
Prince Chris Abasieyo, the former commissioner of Information thanked the incumbent for raising the bar of information dissemination in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Odiko Macdon said the state has been better projected under the leadership of Comrade Ememobong as information manager.
“We haven’t had it this good before. You can hardly find bad news because he has done so well” Macdon submitted.
Director of Information, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Blessing Urua, said that Comrade Emembong is diligent and is a marketable product in their fold.
Aides to the commissioner, coroborated through Imo Etimudo who said: “he is very humorous, generous, meticulous and fastidious. When you have an encounter with Comrade Ini Emembong, you will know he came at the right time and that’s why the parent named him “Ini”. Etimudo added that the Commissioner has made them love “God and work”.
Present at the event were Vice President, NUJ, Zone F (South-South), Comrade Opaka Dokubo, member of the House of Representatives for Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, member-elect for Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency, Hon. Ime Okon, member representing Ibiono Ibom State constituency, Obong Godwin Ekpo, the political fold, friends, associates and well wishers.
