Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno was on Saturday night at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre,Abuja honoured by the Nigeria Union of Journalists with an Award of Excellence in the Development of Media Infrastructure during the Awards/ Dinner marking the 70th Anniversary celebrations of the Professional Body .
The milestone event which had in attendance President Bola Tinubu represented by the Minister of Information, Hon. Mohammed Idris Malagi, State Governors, Captains of Industries, Stakeholders and members of the Union drawn across the 36 State Councils and the Federal Capital Territory was the climax of three days of festivities which started with a Jumat Service, visit to orphanage, National Executive Council Meeting, Award/ Dinner and Thanksgiving Service.
Represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah who was accompanied in the team by the Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson Gov. Eno who was the Book presenter on the Anniversary Dinner and Award recipient in his remarks tasked the Union to ensure the sustenance of development Journalism that would enhance the growth of the society and further ensure that the dynamics of technological driven information dissemination through Artificial Intelligence is not a threat to the Traditional Media as new innovations in information management will not outdate the foundational structures of the industry.
The Anniversary Book Presentation which had as it’s title ” Bleeding Ink” written by a former National Secretary of the Union, Shu’aibu Usman Leman was launched by State Governors
Hon. Aniekan Umanah reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Umo Eno in ensuring a free press in Akwa Ibom State, continued support to the development of media infrastructure and the continuous support of the media in projecting and promoting the ARISE Agenda of the administration.
“” Today, Akwa Ibom State under the able leadership of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno enjoys a vibrant press relationship and the relationship with the media community is very cordial and we are working together in promoting the ARISE Agenda “, Aniekan Umanah stated.
The Guest Lecturer at the Anniversary dinner,Prof. Tunde Akanni of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies , Lagos State University appraised the problems and prospects of Journalism practice in the age of Artificial Intelligence and tasked media professionals not to be pushed aside with evolving technology in the course of discharging their duties.
Some of the award recipients were His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, Mohammed Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State and Abba Yusuf, Governor of Kano State.
Others include Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, Nasir Idris, Governor of Kebbi State, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, Past Presidents of the Union and Secretaries, Past and Present President of National Association of Women Journalists ( NAWOJ), amongst other personalities.
