The Biblical notion that “the measure you give is the measure you receive” was fully displayed recently when one of the most fastest rising and vibrant tabloids in the State, The Ink Newspaper toured the three senatorial districts of the state, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket with numerous gift items and distributed same to three orphanages therein.
The exercise which bore all the trappings of genuine love and solidarity for the downtrodden was part of programs marking the tabloid’s one year anniversary. It must be noted here that The Ink Newspaper has remained ever present at newsstands on Tuesdays without fail and has at other times, hit the stands on Thursdays with incisive, objective, balanced and factual reportage of news and trends. This, of course is in line with her mission statement which remains guided by the principles of factual, balanced, fair and objective reporting which is solidified on the grounds of professionalism, accountability, sustainability and with uncompromising commitment towards a fair, better and reliable society for all and sundry.
In doing this however, the Paper is not unaware of the glaring fact that some persons and institutions may at times feel slighted or maligned as the case may be by certain commentaries and news reports. In circumstances like this, we may be hounded, called names, threatened and even seen as an attack dog whose to all, intent and purpose is out to cause disaffection among the elite or polarize the generality of the people along different lines. But permit me to use this auspicious medium to disabuse the minds of some people who see the media vis-a-vis The Ink as a platform that take sides in issues perhaps on account of monetary inducement or to curry certain favours from highly placed persons or, infact, the government of the day.
The Ink is regulated by strict adherence to the ethics, code and precepts of journalism which is to hold government accountable and responsible to their dirties through unbiased dissemination of news stories that goes a long way to impact, improve and inform the larger society of the workings of government and vice versa.
Hence in marking her one year birthday, the Paper deems it necessary to thank her numerous readers, stakeholders and others who have in one way or the other contributed to this unique story and milestone. For those who bear pent-up grudge against The Ink; maybe on grounds of thinking that he/she has been singled out for criticisms or derogation, it is necessary to put it straight that it is never the intention of the Ink to cast aspersions or drag the integrity of anyone in the mud. The Paper operates on the basis of objectivity and decorum with total subscription to the demands of the job as the watch dog of the society and fourth estate of the realm.
Back to the subject matter, The Ink family was led by her amiable Editor-in-chief Mr. Nsibiet John to Eket, her first port of call. The motherless babies’ home located at IBB way, Uyo was billed to be visited first but the idea was botched as a result of what could be described as an unpleasant experience the team encountered on entering the premises. They were clearly told to get a letter of permission from the Ministry of Women Affairs before presenting their gifts. Such precondition for a voluntary offering to the less-privileged was indeed a shock in the marrow for the team who were further told it was strictly ordered by the Commissioner in charge of the ministry.
With the trip to two other senatorial districts in minds, the team turned back with theirs items and visited others who were visibly craving to have such goodies. Perhaps, other individuals and organizations bound by nothing else other than conscience and love for the have-nots have encountered a similar case at the hands of the Ministry of Women Affairs and gone back disappointed; The Ink condemns such law in totality. While such moves may be understood on grounds of the security situation in the country, it would be better to screen visitors at the gate before they are allowed entrance, and whatever letter of permission needed for access into the home should be done right inside the home-either beside the gate point or somewhere in the premises. It is often said that when two elephants fight, the grasses suffer. In this case, it is not the donor or the Ministry that loses but the famished inmates who are always overjoyed when they are showered with gifts.
This order will therefore affect the inmates as only very few people will follow the processes spelt out by the ministry.
Giving at times is done spontaneously and is rarely planned. A visitor to the State may have the urge to put a smile on the faces of the needy and decide to stop by to perform the exercise only for him to be told that he/she has to get letter ‘somewhere’ before doing so. This may not go down well with such a fellow and he may forced to have a change of mind. One is at a loss to comprehend the rationale behind this seeming new order because on close examination, its negative effects far outweighs any good intentions it was meant to achieve. But then, regulations of this nature raises a lot of pertinent questions. If, the order was a new one as told, what prompted the idea of a letter before someone offers a helping hand to the needy? Could it be that the caregivers engage in underhand activities as regards the items brought by visitors? Or is it possible that the idea is to keep record of what is received in the home daily? Could it be for security reasons? Well, one may never know until those involved are exposed. At any rate, the order should be reviewed forthwith to avert further drain on the part of the inmates.
On arriving at the orphanage at Idung Iniang in Eket Local Government Area, the team was greeted by a friendly, breezy and spacious atmosphere. The matron of the home Mrs. Mercy Umoh, in her warmly disposition readily ushered the team into the home and cheerfully conducted them round the wards. She showed the team the three sections in the home; section A which is meant for babies between the age brackets of 1-6, as well as section B and C which caters for children of different age groups. The home is blessed with two radiant and healthy looking identical twins, Goodluck and Destiny. While it was time for siesta, most of the inmates were still playing away on their bed as they watched in relish their matron lead The Ink family round the wards.
The inmates did not in any way appear like children abandoned by their mothers as they looked every inch happy, well-fed fresh and radiant. To most of them, that’s their home – their village and ‘State’.
Explaining some points to The Ink team, Mrs. Mercy Umoh stated that Exxon Mobil has contributed immensely to the upkeep of the inmates by providing items and salaries to the staff. On the serene and heat ambience of the home, she noted that some youth corps members do come to assist in keeping the compound tidy. She also pointed out that the inmates do not go to any public or private school but are taught within the confines of the home even as she pointed at a chalk board attached to the wall to buttress her point.
One significant feature of the home is that there are no cases of infractions from hoodlums and social miscreants inspite of a section of the fence which had collapsed and is yet to be fixed.
At Nwaeyen in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the inmates sat in clusters as they happily welcomed The Ink family to their somewhat decrepit home. Most of the walls were cracked and old. The inmates were not as enchanting in appearance as those in other places. Most of them wore torn clothings that were hugely over-sized and old. Others looked mentally unsound as some could barely speak distinctively and were compelled by a special sign or gesture by their matron, Mrs. Christian Udoh to respond to cheers and questions. The matron of the home, Mrs. Christiana Udoh while receiving The Ink team poured encomiums on the Editor of the Newspaper and the entire staff for the gesture showed them. She spoke in no uncertain terms even as she punctuated her comments with prayers for the good health of The Ink staff and more successes in all things.
Responding, the Editor-in-chief Mr. Nsibiet John said that the gesture showed them was in appreciation to God for His faithfulness to The Ink Newspaper while imploring the inmates not to lose hope as a great future awaits them. He noted that the gesture is just a ‘widows mite’ from The Ink meant to show love and solidarity with them in a bid to lighten their seeming burden. One may be tempted to think that the inmates are less literate and have little or nothing to offer to the society. Far from it. They prayed as one well grounded in religious affairs and thundered a resounding AMEN at the end. As the team made to leave, Mr. Nsibiet John beckoned on them to pray fervently for the safe and immediate return of Thomas Thomas, an editor with the Global Concord Newspaper who was whisked away recently in Uyo.
The final lap of the three-pronged journey was at St. Anthony’s Destitute Centre, Uruan Street, Uyo. On arrival at the premises which was scanty but relatively calm, one of the caregivers, Miss Angelica who welcomed the team, informed that a good number of the inmates have been housed elsewhere as a result of the raging flood that had ravaged the premises, adding that they only come on Saturdays for some inspection and exercises.
As with Idung Iniang in Eket, she mentioned that a part of their fence had collapsed and went on to include lack of resources to pay school fees of some inmates enrolled in private schools, as part of their challenges. She received the gifts item alongside two of the inmates while they prayed and thanked The Ink for the gesture.
If anything, the whole adventure was a rewarding expedition that offered members of The Ink family a platform to show love and affection to the downtrodden in the society, while also seeing firsthand the harrowing experience some women put their young ones through. It only leads one to ponder on what runs through the mind of those who give birth only for them to abandon such innocent children to the vagaries of nature. It beats ones’ imagination that some folks could treat fellow humans in such a shabby manner without recourse to their conscience and milk of human kindness.
It only goes to buttress the growing believe that our value system have been grossly eroded so that we treat fellow humans with disdain. One only hopes that our society rekindles our long cherished values that held human life with sanctity and in the highest esteem.
We also use this medium to call on government and corporate bodies to contribute more to the welfare of these abandoned kids whom caregivers have taken the pains to cater for. Some facilities are lacking in these homes that should ordinarily be taken care of by spirited individuals. Let’s show love to the less-privileged as it comes with unquantifiable blessings.
The Ink, in spite of being just a year old has set a hallmark in this regard. This was done not necessarily because of buoyancy but because of the love for those children who came into the world like everyone of us but are limited by circumstances beyond their control.
Other individuals and organizations should therefore follow suit and even do more than the relatively young Newspaper has done. We can assist these homes fix facilities that have gone bad through years of constant usage.
A saying goes that it is in giving that we receive; hence we have a huge opportunity to key into this admonition by hearkening to this rallying call from the down-trodden.
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