Akwa Ibom Radio Station Denies Unfair Labour Practices

The management of the Akwa Ibom – based  Comfort FM radio has denied allegations of unfair workplace practices.

The organisation said it had lived up to expectations in editorial disposition and welfare of employees.

The denial, LEADERSHIP Friday gathered, stemmed from allegations of bias levelled against the outfit by the factional leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the publicity secretary, Barr. Ewa Okpo, recently accused the station of unfair work ethics and other unfriendly disposition to workers’ welfare.

But responding to the allegations which he described as unfounded, the executive managing consultant (EMC), Samuel Akpan, said the station in the last nine years of its existence had never been found wanting in its management policies.

He maintained that its independent stance in editorial direction had never been faulted.

Akpan said, “Our attention has been drawn to some sensational social media reports geared toward misleading the general public about the reputation of Comfort 95.1 Fm, Uyo.

“We hereby state categorically that as a corporate organization, we have lived up to our responsibilities towards our staff and stakeholders, paying all statutory dues that we are meant to at the appropriate time.

“We have over the past nine years kept the statutory mandate of any media organization by ensuring we remain bold and fearless, with all our conversations anchored on editorial independence.

“Comfort 95.1 FM was built on the belief that communities deserve media that reports without fear or favor. In an era of competing interests, the station maintains that independent journalism is non-negotiable for accountability, transparency, and public trust.

“The station is run independent of any outside influence. The management team and staff are engaged on pure professional basis, with a seasoned broadcaster and administrator, Samuel Enoh Akpan at the helm of affairs as the Executive Managing Consultant, (EMC).

“The day to day administration of the station is solely anchored by the EMC, with assistance from all the Heads of Departments.

“Besides this, Comfort 95.1 Fm is the only station in Nigeria with a toga of having won the Guinness World Record, GWR in 2025 through one of its foremost presenters, George Iniabasi Essien, (Mighty George).

“There are numerous other awards and laurels which the station has won in the last nine years that are mind boggling.

“We, therefore, want to appeal to all well meaning individuals and corporate organizations to desist from joining the station with any issue bothering on local or national politics as the station was not formed for political partisanship. It is on record that the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob, he however does get involved in the day to day administration of the station as it is being insinuated in certain quarters.

“We are on record as one of the few broadcasting organizations in Nigeria that have no issue with both the old and current staff in terms of settling all genuine obligations based on available resources without any fear or favour.

“Our Editorial and Managerial policies are completely Independent and cannot be faulted because they are guided by facts, fairness, justice and equity. The station also prioritizes issues that affect Akwa Ibom State, families, businesses, and civic life,” a communique by the management stated