Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, on Friday, May 2, 2025, held an interactive session with the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, unity, and development.

Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information

The engagement, held at the NUJ Secretariat along Information Drive in Uyo, brought together members of the NUJ State Working Committee, including the State Exco, Chapel Chairmen, Correspondents of national newspapers, online publishers, and newspaper proprietors.

In his remarks, Umanah described the meeting as a reciprocal and spontaneous gesture, following an earlier visit by the NUJ to his office.

 “Today’s engagement is essentially reciprocal,” he said. “I thought we should engage and put faces to the various conversations”.

He emphasized the importance of forging stronger ties between the media and government in order to effectively communicate the achievements of Governor Umo Eno’s administration under the ARISE Agenda.

Umanah noted the need to “distill the progress recorded” to the public in ways that promote clarity, understanding, and unity. While appreciating the NUJ for its consistent support, the Commissioner praised the synergy between the media and the state government. He reiterated the Governor’s unifying vision, stating: “Governor Umo Eno’s agenda is project of unity of the entire State. Continuing , he emphasized; “We must navigate the politics of Nigeria to make the Ibom Deep Seaport, ecological remediation funds and other interventions by the Federal government a reality.”

 Umanah urged media professionals to promote truth and avoid misinformation, stressing the need to uphold national unity.

 Referencing a stanza in the national anthem, “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” the Commissioner defended the Governor’s bipartisan approach in supporting the APC-led federal government despite his PDP affiliation, describing it as a strategic move in the interest of the state.

Highlighting the achievements of the current administration, Umanah listed the construction of over 700km of road projects, the ARISE Resort, establishment of Model Health Centres, Model Primary Schools, and other critical infrastructure projects across the state. He also expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for recognizing the Governor’s worker-friendly policies during the May Day Celebration.

Earlier in his welcome address, NUJ Chairman Comrade Amos Etuk expressed gratitude for the Commissioner’s visit, assuring him of the union’s unwavering support for the State government’s ARISE Agenda. “We believe that our gathering here today will enhance more synergy and impact our union more positively,” Etuk said.

Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information with Comrade Amos Etuk, Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom state council.

The NUJ boss expressed hope that the interface would deepen collaboration for the good of Akwa Ibom people. He also presented to the Commissioner an award the NUJ received at the 2025 May Day Celebration, where the council emerged in first position at the Uyo Township Stadium.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet gave a vote of thanks at the meeting.