Support My Successor, Gov Emmanuel Charges Journalists

Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel has underscored the importance of the media and the critical role it plays in the sustenance of democracy and good governance in the country and charged media professionals to support the incoming administration of the governor-elect Pastor Umo Eno, from May 29.

Extending his hands of fellowship to leaders and members of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the World Press Freedom Day held at its Information Drive, Uyo Secretariat, the governor lauded the robust relationship between the media and his government.

Represented by his chief press secretary (CPS), who doubles as the senior special assistant (SSA) on media, Ekerete Udoh, the governor said, “Though we have had moments of disagreement in the manner of certain reportage of government activities by the press, the media, however, has to a large extent, not been overly adversarial.

“We have accepted criticisms that are done without malice, and, have allowed media practitioners the freedom and latitude to report and analyze events without deploying the instruments of government to sanction, suppress or coerce them to do otherwise. 

The media is an important player in any democracy and we salute and celebrate you, for helping to deepen our democratic traditions and ethos.

“Akwa Ibom is a unique state, and in the last eight years, we have worked to reposition the state as an emerging hub in aviation, with world class infrastructure, healthcare delivery services, agriculture, industrialization, amongst others. My prayer, is that you will extend the same cooperation to my successor, the Governor- Elect, Pastor Umo Eno.”