GOV. EMMANUEL, VETERAN JOURNALISTS, CONVERGE ON IBESIKPO FOR NUJ ANNUAL THANKSGIVING

~ Lawrence Ekong

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ekikere Umoh, together with some members of his cabinet and other veteran journalists in the state, converged in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area for the 2022 Annual Thanksgiving Service organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) to usher in the new year.

The event which was graced by a large turnout of the members of the pen profession, the political class and other dignitaries, had as its Theme: Guide Us O' God On the Path of Peace, was held on Sunday, at the St Charles Catholic Church, Ikot Ebre, in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

Governor Emmanuel who was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, acknowledged the contributions of the union to the success so far recorded by his administration, especially his Completion Agenda, restated his commitment to continue to be supportive to the NUJ in order for the union to effectively play its constitutional roles as the forth estate of the realm, and for the smooth performance of its responsibilities as the society's watch-dog.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk, said the annual event was initiated eight years ago, and sustained through previous administrations as a veritable platform to yearly commit the union to God for His divine guidance and direction.

"As we embark on this annual event, our prayer is that, God will guide us on the path of peace, and Akwa Ibom State will continue to maintain that peace status that we are know for, and NUJ in Akwa Ibom State will continue to be in unity". Etuk said.

According to the Chairman, "We will continue to work as partners in sustaining the agenda-setting for good governance, and peace shall continue to flourish in our land".

While delivering his homily, the Parish Priest, Rv. Fr. Anthony Etuk, described journalists as "soldiers" who must defend the truth at all times in order to help drive the development of the state and the country in general.

The Rv. Fr. also called on members of the pen profession to be courageous and committed in their assigned responsibilities, prophesying that through consistency, their efforts shall in due course be rewarded accordingly.

"As journalists, your job is a very risky one, but you must be courageous, and being courageous means that you must tell the truth without fear" Fr. Etuk admonished.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Central Planning Committee of the 2022 edition of the Thanksgiving Service, Comrade Abasifreke Effiong, thanked the Church, members of the NUJ, and the state government for their various support to his committee, thus ensuring the success of the event.

Meanwhile, goodwill messages were also delivered by: The member representing the people of Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Dean College of Commissioners, Dr Glory Edet, and the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Linus Nkan.

Other dignitaries at the event included: The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, former Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ekong Sampson, and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Inyang Jameson, who also bagged special recognition award from the Akwa Ibom State Council of NUJ for his 35 years of meritorious Service to the State.

https://noisemakerng.ng/2022/01/17/gov-emmanuel-veteran-journalists-converge-on-ibesikpo-for-nuj-annual-thanksgiving/

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