Akwa Ibom NUJ SWC pays courtesy visit to Speaker; wants House to domesticate FOI Act

Comrade Amos Etuk, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists Akwa Ibom State Council, on Thursday led members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and some elders of the Union on a thank you visit to the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), Rt. Hon Udeme Otong.

The courtesy call held at the Assembly complex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo was to thank the lawmaker for keeping his promise in appointing a member of the Union, Comrade Emmanuel Ebong as his Press Secretary.

The AK NUJ Boss used the forum to present requests of modalities that should be put in place to enable the Assembly Press Corps deliver effectively on their assigned duties, which is the coverage of the activities of the House.

Etuk made the followings demands:
* That the Assembly Press Corps be given a befitting office in the Assembly complex such that is conducive enough for them to write stories when necessary.

*He solicited that the current stipends paid to the Press Corps members be reviewed upward in line with the economic reality of the moment, including a look into their general welfare.

*Etuk called on the Speaker of the 8th Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong and members to as a matter of priority domesticate the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in the State as it has already been implemented by 16 States of the federation. This he noted will grant Journalists easy access to information as well as facilitate the process of holding pubic officers accountable and will as well add to the achievement of the present House of Assembly.

*He also requested for the training of members of the Press Corps to sharpen their skills, recalling that for the past five years they have neither been trained nor exposed to the new rudiments of journalism reportage

The AK NUJ Boss commended the Speaker and members of the 8th Assembly for legislatively deliberating and considering people oriented bills and motions, sightng the recent legislative oversight function undertaken by one of the House Committees to draw government’s attention to the plight of the displaced indegenes of Ntak Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim LGA who were affected by airstrike, with a view of resettling the victims.

He also reiterated the Union’s commitment to continually support the House of Assembly in the areas of publicity so that it can deliver on its core responsibilities, and to also partner to ensure that the Arise Agenda of Governor Umo Eno is achieved to the benefit of the people while the projection of Akwa Ibom State will be given due consideration

The NUJ Chairman used the forum to extend invitation to the Speaker to attend the September Congress of the Union as a special guest.

In his response, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong thanked the NUJ leadership for the thank you visit and observed with remarkable satisfaction that since the appointment of Comrade Emmanuel Ebong as Press Secretary, there have been remarkable positive changes in the reportage of the Assembly activities.

He gave the assurance that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly under his leadership will continue to maintain the synergy and a cordial working relationship with the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council while the Legislators will work assiduously as they strive to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people in line with the mandate of the government.

He gave the assurance that all the requests made by the Union most especially regarding the office space will be given prompt consideration as the Clerk of Assembly, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok is already working in that direction.

The Speaker also assured that he will be a special guest at the September 2023 Congress of the Union.