NUJ Marks One Year of Nsibiet John’s Administration with Leadership Summit

 

By Godswill Emmanuel, Nathaniel Nanje and Joy Inyang

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, on Thursday, July 30, 2026 inaugurated a Leadership Summit for members of the State Working Committee and Chapel officers as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the Comrade Nsibiet John-led administration.

Chairman on the occasion, Barr. Onofiok Luke making remarks at the occasion 

The summit, held at the Patience Umo Eno Auditorium of the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, was themed, “Journalism and Leadership: Balancing Editorial Independence with Government Policies.” It brought together union leaders, government officials, media professionals and resource persons to examine the responsibilities of journalists as professionals and leaders within the union.

Chief Press Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ekerette Udoh giving his remarks 

Former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, who chaired the opening session, urged participants to approach the summit with open minds and a strong commitment to learning. He noted that effective leadership requires continuous capacity building, adding that union leaders may struggle to respond adequately to emerging challenges without the requisite knowledge and skills.

Commissioner for Information,  Rt Hon. Aniekan Umanah exchanging pleasantries with his predecessor, Barr. Ini Ememobong

Luke formally declared the summit open and charged participants to take advantage of the wealth of experience and knowledge offered by the resource persons, stressing that leadership development remains essential to the growth and effectiveness of any organisation.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, reflected on the challenges of leading journalists amid unresolved welfare concerns. While acknowledging that some expected welfare packages were yet to be secured, he expressed optimism that the union’s constructive engagement with the state government would yield positive results.

John said Governor Umo Eno had assured the union that some of its concerns would receive attention, adding that the leadership remained committed to strengthening professionalism, welfare and unity among journalists in the state. He thanked the resource persons and members for their support and participation, describing the summit as an opportunity for union leaders to broaden their knowledge and explore opportunities available to media professionals.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Sunny James, commended the longstanding relationship between the NLC and the NUJ. He reminded participants that the applause and recognition associated with leadership positions are temporary, noting that leaders must sometimes make difficult decisions without the benefit of public approval.

L-R: Mr. Ekerette Udoh, Ralph Edem, Nsibiet John and Barr. Onofiok Luke on the Head Table

James called for renewed investment in investigative journalism and urged the NUJ to prioritise the training of its members in computer-based testing, digital skills and computer literacy to enhance their capacity and competitiveness in the evolving media landscape.

State Chairman, NULGE, Comrade Anestina Iweh

The Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, who delivered the keynote address, described leadership as the capacity to identify and address the needs of followers. He recalled his involvement in pioneering a journalists’ housing estate in Lagos at a time when many media practitioners could not afford to own homes and highlighted efforts aimed at improving the welfare of journalists in Akwa Ibom State.

State Chairman, NAWOJ, Comrade Nsikak Okon giving a Goodwill Message 

Umanah said the summit’s theme underscored the important relationship between the government and the media, stressing that editorial independence entails the freedom to pursue truth and uphold professional standards without compromise. He urged the NUJ leadership to establish a comprehensive journalists’ cooperative that would incorporate savings, insurance and retirement planning for members.

Press Secretary,  Office of the First Lady, Comrade Uduak Ekong 

Speaking on leadership within the union, veteran journalist and pioneer member of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Comfort Umanah, noted that leadership had evolved into a recognised field of study in tertiary institutions. She stressed that occupying a leadership position in the union does not absolve any journalist of professional responsibilities.

State Chairman,  NIPR, Comrade Manasseh Umoette

Umanah advised union leaders to acquaint themselves with the NUJ’s organisational structure and affiliate bodies, while remaining open to constructive criticism, even when it is uncomfortable. She described the relationship between leadership and management as a continuous balancing act that requires wisdom, discipline and adaptability.

Representative of NUJ South South,  Comrade Gabriel Ekaidem

The Leadership Summit is the first of three major events lined up to commemorate the first anniversary of the Comrade Nsibiet John-led administration.

State Secretary of the Union, Comrade Nsikak Esenowo with his co-compere, Comrade Emaido Affia

The anniversary programme reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening leadership capacity, advancing members’ welfare, promoting professionalism and fostering greater unity among journalists in Akwa Ibom State as the Council marks one year of the current administration.

Comfort Umanah: The Woman who Speaks Leadership with Experience

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot 

Comrade Comfort Umanah is not merely a pioneer member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council; she is one of the resilient women whose contributions helped to lay the foundation for the growth, stability and enduring relevance of the Union. A trailblazer, seasoned broadcaster and accomplished unionist, Comrade Umanah has remained a steady voice of wisdom and institutional memory through several administrations. Her selection as a resource person at the NUJ Leadership Summit for members of the State Working Committee and Chapel officers, held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, was therefore a fitting recognition of a woman whose years of service have earned her the respect of generations within the profession.

Delivering a lecture on the topic, “Understanding Leadership in the Union”, the veteran journalist brought to the gathering a rare blend of knowledge, experience, conviction and practical insight. With the confidence of a woman who has served the profession with distinction and the warmth of a mentor committed to raising others, she described leadership as a broad and dynamic responsibility that begins with the individual. Drawing from her exposure to leadership training at the Meridian International Centre in Washington, DC, and the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel, Comrade Umanah maintained that leadership is not merely about occupying an office or wielding authority, but about providing direction, influencing others positively and making decisions that advance the collective good.

She reminded elected and appointed officers that leadership in the NUJ demands a clear understanding of the organisation and the responsibilities attached to every position. According to her, the NUJ occupies a unique place as both a professional body and a trade union, making it necessary for leaders to understand when and how to balance professional ethics with union responsibilities. She stressed that knowledge of the Union’s constitution is fundamental to effective leadership, describing it as indispensable to a union leader, just as an understanding of the Scriptures is essential to a Christian seeking to live by the principles of the faith. She also urged leaders to study the operational guidelines of their workplaces and understand the systems within which their members function.

Speaking with the candour of a woman who understands that leadership must be anchored on service rather than privilege, Comrade Umanah emphasised that the strength of a leader is reflected in the quality, enlightenment and confidence of the people being led. She urged union officers to empower members with knowledge of their rights, responsibilities, work ethics, staff handbooks, circulars and conditions of service. She also made it clear that occupying a union office does not confer immunity from accountability, insisting that discipline, humility, integrity and good conduct remain the true measures of successful leadership.

On financial responsibility, the respected media professional delivered a firm warning against the culture of pretence and artificial lifestyles that could lure union leaders into financial misconduct. She condemned any attempt to conceal impropriety through the delay or manipulation of audit reports, stressing that transparency must remain non-negotiable in the management of union resources. Her message was clear: leadership without honesty ultimately loses its moral authority. She therefore encouraged officers to promote the prompt payment of members’ statutory obligations and explore sustainable income-generating ventures, including cooperative initiatives and prudent investments, to strengthen the financial independence of the Union and reduce vulnerability to external influence.

Comrade Umanah also spoke passionately about the responsibility of the NUJ to preserve its integrity as the “watchdog of society.” She cautioned leaders against allowing the Union to become an instrument of propaganda for political interests or powerful individuals, maintaining that while the Union must build constructive relationships with government and other stakeholders, journalists must retain the freedom and courage to serve as the conscience of society. She urged leaders to accommodate criticism, listen to divergent opinions and avoid responding to every disagreement with anger, drawing strength from the biblical counsel in James 1:19 that every person should be “swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath.”

With her rich professional background at the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) and her current role at Redemption FM, Comrade Comfort Umanah stands as an inspiring model of excellence, resilience and purposeful leadership for emerging journalists. Her career reflects the strength of a woman who has not only witnessed the evolution of the media profession and the NUJ in Akwa Ibom State, but has contributed meaningfully to their growth. Her lecture was more than an academic presentation; it was a timely charge to leaders to serve with courage, lead with integrity and remember that power is temporary. In her closing admonition, she reminded participants that no position is permanent and that every leadership opportunity is held in trust—a message that resonated as both the counsel of a respected union elder and the enduring wisdom of a woman whose legacy continues to inspire the Press.

Akara, kuli-kuli and Groundnut trend not funny

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot 

Those jumping on the maize, akara and kuli-kuli trend are, in my opinion, only rubbing salt into our already wounded sensibilities.

It is not enough that the First Lady has seemingly sized us up and pointed us toward the trenches. Isn't that what we call see finish?

At a time when the rest of the world is racing to embrace technological innovation and economic advancement, we are being encouraged to adopt an outdated survival strategy—and, instead of questioning it, we're making memes and catching cruise with it.

I understand that Nigerians often use humour to cope with painful realities. It is one of our greatest coping mechanisms. But not every issue should be laughed away, and this is one of them.

I can confidently say that none of those frying akara, selling kuli-kuli or roasting corn would willingly choose that path if better opportunities existed. Why would anyone deliberately wake up at 4:00 a.m. to sort and wash beans, head to the mill before dawn despite the prevailing insecurity, return home to endure hours in front of scorching fire and hot oil, and then still hawk the products if customers don't come?

Or what exactly is amusing about sitting in the cold, frantically fanning burning charcoal to roast corn while enduring smoke, heat and flying sparks that leave burns on the skin?

Which of these alternatives can Her Excellency realistically attempt herself?

More importantly, how many women in the akara, kuli-kuli or corn-roasting socioeconomic class can comfortably send their children to even a modest private school? How many can pay rent without anxiety, feed their families consistently, or afford life-saving medical treatment if their husbands become financially incapacitated?

May we never find ourselves in such circumstances. I reject and refuse it with every fibre of my being. Neither my biological sisters nor my sisters by circumstance should ever have to endure such a life.

To our mothers, aunties and sisters whose youthful glow has faded under the weight of this backbreaking labour; to women whose dignity and feminine charm have been eroded by an economy that continues to fail them, all I can sincerely say is, "Sorry." "E go beta". Abi wetin I wan talk pass that one?

Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted, and this is yet another reminder.

We cry daily about insecurity, banditry, unemployment, the unbearable cost of living and incessant fuel price hikes. Now, we're asked to go find a means of survival...it is finished!

This must be the reason Jesus wept—in capital letters.

World Breastfeeding Week 2026: IOM Coalition Rolls out Medical Mission Across 20 LGAs

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot 

Residents of 20 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State are set to benefit from free integrated healthcare services as the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Coalition has concluded arrangements for the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity Project in commemoration of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

The coalition announced that the medical outreach will run from August 3 to August 13, 2026, following a review of its initial implementation plan. 

According to the IOM Core Technical Team, some Local Government Areas originally listed for the programme were dropped to enable the coalition channel available resources toward delivering a more impactful intervention in the final 20 benefiting LGAs.

Activities will officially commence on Saturday, August 1, with an Advocacy Road Walk in Uyo aimed at creating public awareness and mobilizing residents for the World Breastfeeding Week celebration and the statewide medical mission.

The outreach will begin on August 3 in Ukanafun and Oruk Anam, before moving to Ikono and Ini on August 4, Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium on August 5, Oron and Urue-Offong/Oruko on August 6, Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin on August 7, and Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan on August 8. After a one-day break, medical teams will continue the exercise in Itu and Ibiono Ibom on August 10, Esit Eket and Ibeno on August 11, Abak and Ika on August 12, before concluding in Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim on August 13.

The programme will climax with a grand finale in Uyo on August 14, marking the end of two weeks of free medical consultations, maternal and child health interventions, public health education, and advocacy activities designed to promote healthier families and communities across the state.

Speaking on the initiative, the Team Lead and Coordinator of the Ibom Open Maternity Project, Aniekeme George, said the coalition remains committed to expanding access to quality healthcare for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and other vulnerable groups. He encouraged residents of the participating Local Government Areas to take advantage of the free services, noting that the intervention is intended to reduce maternal and infant mortality while improving health outcomes across Akwa Ibom State.

George also expressed appreciation to partner organizations, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as the chairmen of the participating Local Government Areas for their collaboration and support, describing their contributions as instrumental to the successful planning and implementation of the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity Project.