Sensor Chapel visits AK NUJ Chairman … commends Devt initiatives, seeks support

In its continued bid to sustain partnership with the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Sensor Chapel over the weekend, paid a courtesy call on the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert, at the Union’s Secretariat, Information Drive, Off IBB way in Uyo.

Accompanied on the team by executives and members of the Sensor Chapel, the Chairman, Comr. Asuquo Edem, appreciated the NUJ chairman for providing an enabling atmosphere for Sensor to thrive as a single-medium chapel, adding that its existence over the years has witnessed steady growth and progress. 

Comr. Edem, who disclosed that the essence of the visit was to identify with the Elder Patrick Albert-led purposeful administration, maintained that his vision-driven leadership has witnessed several transformational strides since assumption of office: “We acknowledge with pride and satisfaction, the giant strides you’ve recorded so far, since you took up the leadership of the state council. 

 ”We have been privileged to embark on trips outside the state, as well as attend NUJ activities in other parts of the country, but I must mention unequivocally that what we find elsewhere cannot be compared to what is obtainable here, in terms of infrastructural development and members’ welfare,” Edem stressed. 

 ”It is recognition of these sterling achievements”, he continued, “that we as a chapel, unanimously cast a vote of confidence on you. We also urge you to carry on with the pace of development. You are assured of our unflinching cooperation in every step of your administration. This is, and shall continue to be our collective resolve”.  

While appealing for regular support from the State Council, the Sensor Chapel Chairman called on the NUJ chairman to always carry the chapel along in the Union’s affairs, particularly in benefitting from largesse accrued to the state council. 

In his response, the state NUJ chairman, Elder Patrick Albert, revealed that he draws his inspiration from God to make tangible decisions, and target good leadership, saying “leadership is mainly service and we’ve been interpreting this in my administration. God is the one who brought me here and showed me the way to go. That’s why we’re here to do the will of God, serve the people and possibly be among the best in the country”. 

Speaking on his target for the union, Elder Albert said, “… we are here to make sure that NUJ in Akwa Ibom State comes first comparably with others, if not more, in Nigeria… in facts when I assumed office, I assessed the situations on ground and vowed to myself that there must be a difference. We are sincerely committed to serve the union and improve its affairs… As I had promised, we will always rise in defence of journalists and their welfare”. 

As an advice, the state NUJ boss urged members, “We must unite to ensure that we protect our ranks. We must strive too, to ensure that journalism practice is promoted alongside the tenets of professional ethics. It behoves us to uphold public trust in our conducts, and avoid tendencies that would jeopardize our profession. Hence, let truth, objectivity and fairness be your watchword always”. 

Elder Albert however, commended the leadership of the Sensor Chapel, as well as the balanced reportage in their newspaper, and assured that the chapel shall enjoy the council’s support and consideration, particularly in response to request for a bus. 

In their separate remarks, the secretary of Sensor Chapel, Elder Edet Okpo; the treasurer, Theophilus Yurika and Etimbuk Ette, all saluted the pragmatic leadership style of Elder Patrick Albert, describing such a yardstick to take the Akwa Ibom State NUJ to the next level.
They also enjoined him to remain focused in his avowed determination to transform the union. 

The team, which was led by Comr. Asuquo Edem, was later conducted round some project sites by the NUJ chairman, Elder Patrick Albert. Some of the projects shown were: a two-storey complex which shall serve as the new administrative block for the union and a club house which is billed for inauguration before ending of August, 2015.