Friday August 1, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Friday, August 1, 2025, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a free and vibrant press as he commissioned the Patience (Kemi) Umo Eno Auditorium at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), located on Information Drive, Uyo.
The iconic structure, built for Akwa Ibom journalists, was named in honour of the Governor’s late wife and serves as the fulfillment of a promise he made to the NUJ during their New Year Thanksgiving Service earlier this year.
Performing the inauguration, Governor Eno praised the leadership of the outgoing NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, for his maturity and professionalism, which he said has helped promote the image of Akwa Ibom State.
“We have promoted Akwa Ibom as a State, and not demoted it. That is what you have done. Governments will come and go, but Akwa Ibom remains constant,” Governor Eno stated.
In recognition of his service, the Governor announced the appointment of Comrade Amos Etuk as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Media.
As part of his goodwill, Pastor Eno also presented brand new official cars to members of the outgoing State Exco of the NUJ, fulfilling yet another pledge made during the union’s New Year thanksgiving.
Addressing journalists ahead of the forthcoming NUJ elections, the Governor urged them to demonstrate decorum and maintain peace during and after the process.
“My support for you is because of your conduct and the way you’ve safeguarded the peace of the State. You’ve not set the State ablaze,” the Governor remarked.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, lauded Governor Eno’s consistency in fulfilling promises, describing the event as an enactment of the “finisher’s anointing.” He applauded the Governor for sustaining a cordial relationship with the media and upholding press freedom in the state.
“Since you came on board, no journalist has been arrested or jailed for any reason. This is evidence of your support for a free press,” Umanah emphasized, urging journalists to uphold responsible journalism in return.
Also speaking at the event, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya, commended the Governor for his impactful leadership and for appointing several journalists into key roles in government. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Information Commissioner in strengthening the media-government partnership.
Outgoing NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, expressed profound appreciation to the Governor for supporting the completion of the auditorium, a project that began nearly two decades ago under Comrade Israel Umoh. He described the occasion as historic and pledged continued collaboration between NUJ and the State Government.
“Your Excellency, this is the legacy we envisioned. You have been a father to Akwa Ibom NUJ. We assure you that this cooperation will be sustained,” Etuk stated.
Highlight of the ceremony was the official naming of the new structure as the Patience Kemi Umo Eno NUJ Auditorium, immortalizing the late wife of the Governor and symbolizing the administration’s enduring support for the press.
