Patrick Albert: Rebranding Akwa Ibom NUJ BY OTOBONG NSEKPONG

When Elder Patrick Albert and his Rebirth Campaign Group went round the eleven chapels in the Akwa Ibom State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists with the message “Let’s reclaim our union”, many saw it as an attempt by a power seeking unionist to take power from an incumbent. 

Two months after, events at the NUJ Press Centre and the new perception of the public is gradually changing by the day by the government, its officials and the general public are beginning to renew the once lost confidence in journalists especially those practicing in the state.

Elder Albert while campaigning had informed journalists that his mission is to broaden the scope of leadership and accommodates as many people as possible as well as builds a model press centre that will match the growing status of Akwa Ibom State.

On assumption of office, Elder Albert led members of the state working committee on a courtesy visits to the State Security Service, the Legislative arm of Akwa Ibom State government, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, the Head of Service, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor as well as Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

The charismatic leadership approach of Elder Patrick Albert is already yielding positive result as members of the union are witnessing an uncommon visit of senior citizens and policy makers at the press centre. So far, Bureau of Legislative and Political Affairs, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor and the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have demonstrated their readiness to partner the new leadership in developing the press centre. 

Elder Patrick Albert in his determination to give back the union to members have kept members of the union informed on the activities of the State Working Committee through the active office of the personal aide to the chairman which is one of the new innovations so far introduced to broaden the scope of leadership.

For instance, through a robust relationship, the Speaker of AKHA, Rt.Hon Elder Sam Ikon promised support in the setting up of an ICT centre within the union secretariat. To back up his support, the speaker, during the October Congress of the union announced a donation of one million naira to facilitate the setting up of the ICT laboratory. Again, through effective lobbying, the chairman advocated for an increase in the number of Laptops earlier promised by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from original 50 to 75. During a visit to QIT, Ibeno, the manager, Public and Government Affairs, Mr Akaninyene Esiere hinted that before the end of October the laptops will be delivered to the union at the press centre as promised. 

On the infrastructural development at the press centre into a model one of international standard, the union is coming up with Project Development Committee made up of men and women with the needed capacity to actualize the vision of Elder Patrick Albert. Membership of the committee cuts across the media and the society.

The journey so far has been that of a steady progress in the direction of the set target. It is a journey that will bring about infrastructural development at the press centre as well as the restoration of confidence of members of the public in the press community in Akwa Ibom State. 

So far, the public faith in the media to not only inform them on events around them but also help publicized their event had that synergy strengthened as those who came to the centre or invited the union to help spread its message have had such messages well publicized to their utmost satisfaction.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to call on members of the union including those in the SWC to give maximum support to the Elder Patrick Albert led administration as it sets to re write the history of the union. Union members should strive above all to maintain high ethnical conduct in the discharge of their professional duties. They should also abide by the code of conduct clearly spelt out for journalists. When this is done, together we will build a union that other trade and professional bodies will be envious. Lets get it right with Elder Patrick Albert.