Julius Berger commences clearing of NUJ site

Construction giants, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has commenced site clearing on the proposed Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre, at the current site of the NUJ Press Centre,  Information Drive, Off IBB Way, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The site clearing is in preparation for the full commencement of construction work at the first phase of the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre which include perimeter fencing/gate house, a 1000 capacity auditorium complex, a-two storey office complex and a club house.

  The architectural design of the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre was done by a leading architectural firm in the country, Otto Trinity Studios.

THE INK NEWSPAPER, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

Unethical behaviour: NUJ suspends member

In a bid to enforce discipline in accordance with the laid down rules and practice of Journalism, the federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has suspended one of her members Alhaji Aminu Ebong who is the publisher of Candour Newspaper. The decision to suspend Ebong was taken during the February general congress of the chapel after a notice of urgent union interest was brought to the congress.

Ebong is said to have exhibited unprofessional conduct during an event at the NUJ secretariat along Information drive in Uyo. Eye witness account holds that even when Ebong was addressed and called to order by the NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert and other senior colleagues, the seasoned journalist refused to obey and rather went to his car and brought out a dangerous weapon with a full intent to hit his colleague Emmanuel Effiong who is the publisher of the Weekly Update Newspaper. Alhaji Aminu Ebong was described as a bad influence to the journalism profession and was suspended from all activities of the federated chapel which he belongs after a unanimous decision was taken during the February congress of his chapel federated Chapel.

League of Veteran Journalists to reposition journalism practice in A’Ibom …frowns at Incessant Cases of Yellow Journalism

Worried by the incessant cases of abuses and infringement on the rights of public officers and privileged persons in the state by some sections of the press, the League of Veteran Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council has scheduled a crucial meeting for Wednesday, 29th January, 2014.

In a press release jointly signed by the state chairman of the League, Chief Emmanuel Esifa, and the secretary, Mr. Gregory Udo, and made available to our newsroom, the media elders will converge at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Centre by 2pm on Wednesday, 29th January for the meeting which will discuss among other things, the way forward for a credible and excellent media practice by editors and reporters in the state, and will also usher in the needed respect and decorum for the senior members of the pen fraternity.

According to the release, the meeting will also fashion out ways and means of bringing in the much cherished and robust professionalism experience of senior journalists and other media professionals in the state as a prelude to forging a sustainable, rewarding and beneficial partnership with the state council of the NUJ led by Elder Patrick Albert, League of Publishers which has Obong Uko Umoh, publisher of Pulse Group of Newspapers as the chairman, as well as executives of the Newspaper Distributors and Vendors Association in the state.

SWAN’S journey so far BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

It is no news that Elder  Uwem Ekoh has emerged the State chapter Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for a second term.

Since the election took place at Uyo Township Stadium on 4th November 2013, Elder Uwem Ekoh who won the election has been described as the luckiest chairman in the State history of SWAN.  Ekoh has received congratulatory messages from groups, individuals as well as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council which is the mother of SWAN.

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.