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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to the Republic of South Africa, Sen. Ita Enang, has charged journalists in Nigeria to ensure that their reportage of activities leading up to the 2027 general elections aligns with electoral laws.
Enang, while delivering his remarks in Uyo at the annual dinner and awards night, unveiling of the Critique Magazine, and launching of the N15 million solar power facility by the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, maintained that reports by the media ahead of the 2027 elections can build or break the electoral process.
The ambassador-designate, who was the chairman of the occasion held at the Patience Eno Auditorium, NUJ Press Centre, further disclosed that journalists in the state could build democracy and shape the ARISE Agenda legacy of Pastor Umo Eno’s administration in the state through positive reportage.
He recalled that, throughout his 26 years of representation in the National Assembly, he had worked tirelessly to align Akwa Ibom State with Federal Government policies.
“In your reportage of politics and activities leading to the 2027 electoral process, please read first the Electoral Act and its provisions.
“Let your reports be aligned with the position of the law and according to the electoral laws of the land.
“Let every person have free access to the courts; let us jointly protect our democracy,” Ita Enang said, adding that he would not hesitate to head to the courts if he felt that certain provisions of the Electoral Act were breached.
“In those years at the National Assembly, we worked tirelessly to align Akwa State with the policies of the Federal Government.
“Through our politics, our advocacy in our 26 years of political representation in the National Assembly, we aligned Akwa Ibom State with the Federal Government to the extent that the state is not just talking about ARISE Agenda now but also talking about the Arise With Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He also appreciated the organisers for the theme of the event, “From Insight To Action: The Role Of The Media In Shaping The ARISE Agenda Legacy”, of the state government.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Comrade Bassey Anthony, chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, who welcomed participants to the annual dinner and awards night, said that their presence underscored the high regard they had for the media as partners in progress.
“We do not take this for granted. Your presence is deeply appreciated. I also thank the NUJ and our colleagues from other chapels for their solidarity tonight.”
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Delivering his keynote address on the occasion, the chairman of Topfaith University, Dr Emmanuel Abraham, described the media as an integral part of the ARISE Agenda in the state, adding that journalists should transform it from a policy document into not only an inspiration but also a life, lived and living experience for the government and the people of the state.
“By focusing on developmental journalism, the media should help to document and define a legacy centred on improved welfare, inclusive growth, and strategic development sustained through Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance, Security Management, and Educational/Health Advancement.
“The media’s role in the Agenda should own and emphasise the renaissance and rebirth aspects of the agenda, signalling its can-do, must-do, and should-do spirits of the Akwa Ibom man,” he said.
Abraham, who is the founder/chairman of the Board of Trustees, Topfaith Group of Schools and Topfaith University, Mkpatak, in Akwa Ibom, also urged the press to transform the agenda from jargon to a real prosperity agenda for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
“Overall, journalism in the ARISE Agenda should not only inform, entertain, and educate but inspire.”
He urged the media to engage in massive strategic public enlightenment; report to give meaning and substance to the government; interpret the ARISE Agenda policy framework and philosophy; propagate the positive narratives of the agenda, including tangible achievements of the state government as well as feedback reporting; report accountability and transparency and the citizens-government relationship.
According to him, the mainstream media can undertake prompt reporting of government and private sector activities directly and indirectly derivable from the agenda philosophy.
He said that such reports would checkmate “the negative effects of social media outbursts and the activities of content creators, bloggers, junk journalism, and the general free press”.
He also urged the media to “intentionally approach the Agenda with determined philosophical focus to strengthen the deeper meaning of the agenda as it connects development indices.”
He said that the media could further provide the foundation for the agenda to become a long-term development roadmap to outlive the current administration of the state.
The event also featured a dinner, presentation of awards to deserving individuals and organisations, the launching of the solar power project, and the unveiling of the 6th edition of the Critique Magazine, published by the Correspondents’ Chapel.
Other highlights included the presentation of the Award of Excellence by the Correspondents’ Chapel to the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki.
