The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council
has called for mutual cooperation with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN),
a subsidiary of ExxonMobil.
The state chairman of NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert made the
call when the new manager, Media and Communications, Lagos of the multinational
firm, Mr. Ugochukwu Udeagha paid a courtesy call on him and members of the
State Working Committee (SWC) of NUJ at the Press Centre, Information Drive,
Off IBB Way, Uyo.
Albert said the Union wants to see a more robust partnership
between the oil firm and journalists in the State in areas of training and
retraining, provision of facilities and development of its International Press
Centre while assuring the company of its continued cooperation and objective
reportage of their activities.
According to him, journalists in the State deserve the attention
of the oil firm in view of their years of exploration in the State and the
cooperation journalists often extend to them in the reportage of their activities,
adding that Mobil producing Nigeria Unlimited has over the years been a good
corporate citizen in the State.
“If one is to make an objective assessment of the performances of
Mobil producing Nigeria Unlimited in community relations and project execution,
it would be seen clearly on the scale that it has performed above average in
the state and beyond,” he said.
Albert recalled the gesture of MPN to NUJ in 2014 where it donated
75 pieces of laptops to members of the Union, adding that the gesture was
followed by the State Government, which also gave 100 Laptops to members.
He urged him to consider additional Laptops and I-Pads to members
to improve the ICT know-how of members and to aid them in their reportage.
The NUJ chairman, who expressed happiness over the visit of the
new officer and his colleagues barely two weeks after his appointment, said
such is a character of a true manager who seeks to survey and evaluate the
strength of the formation to know areas of possible support, weakness and strength
in order to be guided when he commences work.
He congratulated him over his choice and appointment for the
exalted position in the company, and Mrs. Regina Udobong, who is now the
manager, Government and Public Relations for QIT, saying their appointments are
the beginning of good things to come.
Albert recalled the state of the NUJ Press Centre in the last few
years before his election into office, and compared it with its present
position, saying the Press Centre was a near forest until his leadership
breathed life into it through various projects and programmes.
He enlightened him on the proposed Godswill Akpabio International
Press Centre and facilities that would accompany it, mentioning the 1000
capacity auditorium, the Mini Club House and two-storey office complex as well
as the NUJ Museum, etc.
The NUJ boss maintained that the Union was envisaging and
developing a Centre which when completed would serve as a window for any
visitor to the State by providing needed information about certain places,
resources and endowment without the visitor going to such places personally.
Albert, who disclosed that the Union was eager to complete the
abandoned auditorium and the on-going Mini Club House to be able to host
visitors during the international friendly soccer duel between Nigeria and
Brazil in March/April, said the union would be glad to have MPN’s signature in
the centre by taking up any of the projects to complete.
Earlier in his remarks Mr. Ugochukwu Udeagha said the visit
to the Union was to familiarize himself with his colleagues and his
constituency, noting that if one is a trained journalist and he finds himself
in a new environment, the best thing to do is to find where your colleagues are
and socialize with them.
Udeagha, who was accompanied by Mrs. Regina
Udobong, newly appointed manager, Government and Public Relations
for QIT and Ms Mfon Abia of the public relations department, said he was glad
to be in the much-talked about state of uncommon transformation and to tell his
colleagues that “I am here, let’s work together”.
The new officer said his own pursuit was to know the level of
relationship between MPN and NUJ, where the two are and where to go next,
knowing that he cannot do his work alone without the supports of NUJ.
While pledging to do all he can to ensure a cordial relationship
with NUJ, he also looked forward to a wonderful working
relationship.
Present at the visit were the
State Vice Chairman of the Council, Florence Umoetuk, Secretary Joseph Robert
and Treasurer, Uduak Ephraim.
Others were: the Assistant
Secretary, Mfon Ekefre; Auditor, Ephraim Ikpe; Financial Secretary, Uduak Ekott
as well as members of the State Working Committee of the Union.
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