Global Newstrend holds Annual Leadership Conference * NUJ Chair, ors bag award

BY KENNETH JUDE

The 9th edition of the Global Newstrend  Newspaper Annual Leadership Conference and Conferment of Millennium Achievers and Leadership Gold Award on Distinguished Nigerians has been held in Uyo.

The yearly leadership meet, put together by Corporate-Mix Media Trend Limited, publishers of Global Newstrend Newspaper took place at the Governor’s office Annex, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo on Friday 14th November 2014. It was themed “Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy for Enhanced Economic Growth,’’ and well attended by corporate players, Lawyers, political office holders, the Media and the general public. 

In his welcome address, the Chief Host and Publisher/CEO, Corporate-Mix Media Trend LTD, expressed gladness at the gathering while adding that the Newstrend Annual Conference and Award is a yearly event aimed at providing a platform for brainstorming, exchange and articulation of ideas on topical national issues as a way of contributing to the policy formulation of the country towards the evolution of a sustainable and prosperous society. In his words, “the Millennium Achievers and Leadership Gold Award (MALGA), which is a brand of Newstrend Group of publications, a major component of the conference on its part is aimed at identifying people, groups and organisations who have excelled at their work to celebrate their talents, achievements and showcase them as role models to inspire a generation of Nigerians towards the actualisation of our nation’s quest for dedicated, committed and patriotic citizens.  It is a platform that is focused on inspiring and celebrating excellence in leadership, entrepreneurship and development.’’

Continuing, he noted that the summit has held consistently for the past eight years(this edition being the ninth) where over 200 notable Nigerians have been awarded the Millennium Achievers and Leadership Gold Award for achievements in Community Development, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Lawmaking, Entertainment, Hospitality/Tourism Development and Education etc. He challenged the 2014 recipients to nominate their friends outside Akwa Ibom to be part of the event next year so that its focus of being a true national programme would be achieved. 

Giving his remarks at the occasion, the Chairman of the day who doubles as the state chapter chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Elder Patrick Albert, welcomed guests at the event and congratulated Elder Emmanuel Eduongo and his team for keeping the annual leadership summit running since its inception in 2002. “The 9th edition of this summit is a demonstration of the zeal and excellent disposition of the publisher of Newstrend Newspapers. He dedicated the award conferred on him as ‘’Leader with the Midas touch’’ to journalists in the state. Speaking further, he noted that since August 1st 2013 when he assumed leadership of NUJ in the state, the body has maintained a good working relationship with the three arms of government. He charged politicians not to engage in acts that would promote ethnicity but to go about their campaigns peacefully and in accordance with democratic ethos to ensure a seamless transition in the state by 2015.

Delivering a Lecture on the theme, the Guest Speaker, Clifford Thomas (Esq.), submitted that some Nigerians do not really know what they want. He cited the Boko Haram sect as one of such groups who are confused as regards their agitations. He expressed displeasure that Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the imperative of being united despite our cultural and religious. He added that internal democracy will continue to create tension in the country’s political parties until ‘’we look inwardly and reinvent ourselves. The PDP which has held power since 1999 and the most vocal opposition party in Nigeria, the APC have the same ideology which are baseless and are not in tandem with chapter II of the constitution which says that the primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people. Once we can come together as Nigerians with a team spirit, we don’t need to wait for the government. There are certain things we can do together; let the party stay aside; let the establishments stay aside, let’s see how we can go back to our culture. While we have some people praying for us, we should have some others visiting the tribes to ensure that we make our young men very formidable to protect the territorial integrity of Akwa Ibom State.’’ He decried the rate at which there have been misplaced priorities by the government which he noted has led to massive unemployment and hunger in the country. 

Also speaking at the conference, Ambassador Gregory Uwemedimo Okon expressed concern at the rate our cultural values and language is plummeting. “we have a raw deal in government at the national level because we don’t love ourselves from home. Upholding our rich cultural heritage is important so that we can live in unity and be proud of our culture.’’ He thanked Global Newstrend Newspapers for making him the Grand Patron on the meritorious award describing the exercise as a very laudable initiative by the organisation.
Speaking shortly after the occasion, Mr. Eddie Eyibo thanked Chief Godswill Akpabio for appointing him as Clerk of the House of Assembly and later appointing him as the Permanent Secretary.  “This award is unconnected with this special appointment. I give glory to God and thank all the awardees and the organisation that has made this day a successful one.” 

Also speaking, the Rector, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Barr. Isreal Affia thanked the state governor for appointing him Rector of the polytechnic and dedicated the award to him, staff and students of AKWAPOLY. 

Those who were decorated with different honours include:  Pedro Awili Ideba, State Commandant, NSCDC (Proactive Security Administrator); Mr. Unyime Idem, CEO, Idems Ultimate Ltd. (Role Model in Entrepreneurship); Obonganwan (Dr.) Grace E. Ekong, Executive Chairman, SUBEB, (Lifetime Achiever); Hon Ekerette Ekpenyong, Executive Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, (Excellence in Grass root Leadership); Barr. Isreal Affia, Rector, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, (Excellent Education Administrator); Mr. Eddie Eyibo, Permanent Secretary, AKSG, (Excellent Public Administrator); Elder Engr. Dr. Okon Alfred Udoh, President Okon Alfred’s Development Foundation, (Pillar of Community Development); Clifford Thomas, (Esq.) Journalist, Lawyer, Activist ( Advocate of the Masses); Dr. Peter F. Umanah, State Director, FMA and RD, (Excellence Public Administrator); Ambassador. Gregory Uwemedimo Okon, MFR, (Pillar of National Development/patron); Obong Essien Joseph Esema, SSA to the Governor on Petroleum Matters and Chairman of Petroleum Product Monitoring Committee(P.P.M.S), Akwa Ibom State (Pillar of Community Development); Elder Patrick Albert, Chairman-NUJ, (Leader with the Midas Touch); Mr Joshua E. Okpo, Rector, MAN, Oron, (Excellent Education Administrator); Dr. Monday Daniel Akpan, State Auditor General, (Icon of Public Sector Auditing) and Very Rev. Otuekong Ukut, SA to the governor (Great Ambassador of Christ).