By Otobong Nsekpong
August 1st 2013 will remain green in the mind of so many for
various reasons. To Journalists in Akwa Ibom State, it will remain memorable
following the victory of the Rebirth Team at the triennial delegates’
conference/State Elections of the NUJ.
That uncommon victory of August 1, 2013 brought to the number one
seat the champion of the Rebirth Team, Elder Patrick Albert. As a member
of the team that toured the 11 Chapels with the promise of fresh air, I recall
the tremendous support, endorsement and prayers which resulted in the
overwhelming victory for Elder Patrick Albert.
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| Elder Patrick Albert(3rd right) welcomes Mr Aniekan Umanah AKS, Information Commissioner to the NUJ viewing Centre at being commissioned by the latter . |
What did the Rebirth Team promise Journalists? Apart from
the promise of the return of the good old days when NUJ Press Centre was a
rallying point for members and members of other professional bodies, it also
promised a facelift of facilities at the Center.
If the performance and features of successes of Elder Albert in
the last one year were to be written as a book, it would have been voluminous
considering the day to day activities of the union soon after he assumed
leadership.
A peep into the pages will tell the story of fulfilled promises to
journalists in every area. Proving doubting Thomases wrong, Elder Albert
started with the expansion of the leadership scope of the union by introducing
the appointment of personal aides to the chairman as well as setting up some
critical committees to help the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Union in
the running of the council. He encourages the younger generation of journalists
by entrusting them with responsibilities including high profile appointment in
government.
The new leadership has also increased the population of Akwa Ibom
delegates at any national congress of the Union following the recognition of
the Federal information Chapel and conferring of a chapel status on Newsfront
Newspaper.
NUJ, Akwa bIbom State council has been heard and seen in the last
365 days more than it has been heard since the state was created. Unlike in the
past where the union owns the mass media yet remain unsung. Today, the story
has changed. NUJ stories are considered in the headlines and given prominence
in the papers.
For instance, when on January 19 this year, the Union desired to
thank God in a special thanksgiving, the chairman decided to take journalists
out of Uyo capital city to Rapture Trust Ministries International in far away Ukanafun
Local Government Area. At the January Congress of the union, some members of
the union had criticized the choice of Ukanafun for the thanksgiving service
but after the event, journalists unanimously came to the conclusion that it was
indeed a refreshing experience and an inspired decision by the chairman.
That January 19, 2014 decision of SWC was well applauded by
members of the larger society. Hon Aniekan Akpan, member representing Ukanafun
in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and his Abak State Constituency
counterpart, Elder Friday Iwok graced the thanksgiving service with an outpour
of encomiums on the state chairman.
For one, the choice of Ukanafun opened the eyes of city dwellers
to the uncommon transformation going on in the rural communities courtesy of
Chief Godswill Akpabio. Hitherto, it was a bitter experience travelling to that
part of the State as there were no motorable roads. Six months after, the
NUJ Press Centre has not only been transformed with facility upgrade but it has
turned into an international complex courtesy of that Ukanafun spiritual
encounter.
Come with me to the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre located
along Information Drive off IBB Avenue Uyo. The centre before now was
surrounded by a thick bush with threatening tall Palm trees usually cultivated
by villagers living around there. The only one-storey building where the office
of the chairman is accommodated and Congresses held was like an old abandoned
building. The paint on the building had faded while sections that were not
painted became an eyesore. Inside the chairman’s office, we had old furniture
akin to the Abrahamic age -old Television and mal-functional toilet facilities.
In the Congress Hall, we had a broken table used by the union
where the chairman sits and presides at monthly Congress. The table, we were
told, was bought by the Daniel Ekanem led SWC more than 14 years ago. The plastic
chairs for members were also in sorry states as some had lost one leg, aged or
broken that they become traps for many unsuspecting members to fall as soon as
they sit on.
Today the story has changed. Elder Patrick Albert has matched
words with action. The NUJ Press Centre is not only wearing a new look but has
also become a beehive of activities. The perimeter fence to demarcate our land
is 95 percent completed with a modern gate house, the existing building has
been given a facelift. The office of the chairman has been made more attractive
as a result of the uncommon transformation that has taken place. It has hosted
the Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of AKHA and Members, Commissioners and
chairmen of Councils, etc.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was watched live at the NUJ Viewing
Centre where two giant plasma TV and solid chairs and tables have been provided
for viewers. In the Congress Hall, the more than a decade old table has given
way to a modern conference table with designer’s chairs with adorning colours
provided for members as well as beautiful curtains for the wall.
Going upstairs, where we have the chairman’s office, there is a
special office for the council secretary which hitherto was not there, while
another general office have also been created for members of the SWC all of
which have been tastefully furnished. The Union which before Elder Patrick
Albert’s era was managing a-6KVA Generator , now has 60KVA and 150KVA Mikano
Generating Plants.
What more can one say about an administration that has been active
from the very first day after inauguration? Is it in the building of a website
for the union or in the recruitment of competent and experienced hands to drive
the union vehicles or is it in the fact that members now have social events like
Valentine’s Day and birthday parties? It is more than these things
listed. The union is now stronger as a body of professionals who stand by each
other in happy and trying moments.
With the official flag off of the building of an ultra- modern
press centre described by many as massive, the next one year will witness
emergence of world class structures at the centre to house the proposed club
house, 25 rooms Guest House and the NUJ media museum. Soon to be completed and
commissioned are the Mini Club House, ICT Resource Centre and the modern gate
house.
Apart from the physical development at the center, Elder Patrick
Albert has remained a strong voice in the campaign against certain vices in the
society such as violence and nudity by our youths.
At this point special thanks must be accredited to first and
foremost members of the Rebirth Team led by Barr Daniel Ekanem for
seeing the capacity in Elder Patrick Albert to lead a rejuvenated NUJ. Secondly
members of the union across chapels for supporting Elder Albert to victory and
by standing by him in the task of building a befitting legacy for posterity and
lastly and most especially the Almighty God for giving the chairman the wisdom
of Solomon in piloting the affairs of the union. In deed the prayers of the
veteran journalists for Elder Patrick Albert during campaign was heard and
answered by God. To God be the glory.
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