In a social media post, the Akwa Ibom Governor Gifts SUV To State NUJ Chairman Comr. Amos Etuk, he stated that the gesture was made during his participation in the 2025 Thanksgiving service organized by the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has announced the donation of a brand-new SUV to the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state.
In a social media post, the governor stated that the gesture was made during his participation in the 2025 Thanksgiving service organized by the Akwa Ibom State Council of the NUJ.
https://web.facebook.com/PastorEnoUmo/posts/639287152002650?ref=embed_post
“Yesterday, I joined the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for their 2025 Thanksgiving Service at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium, where I reiterated my administration’s commitment to partnering with journalists and workers in the state,” he said.
He also noted that he announced the commencement of N80,000 minimum wage for verified workers in the state with payment of arrears from November 2024.
“As part of this commitment, I announced the commencement of the N80,000 minimum wage payment for verified workers by the end of this month, with arrears from November 2024,” the governor said.
“This afternoon, I fulfilled the first part of my promise to the NUJ by presenting a brand-new SUV to the State Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, through the SSG, Prince Enobong Uwah.”
“This gesture reflects my appreciation for the media’s professionalism, patriotism, and dedication in advancing the ARISE Agenda. Together, we will continue to build a better Akwa Ibom,” he added.
There have been growing concerns about the independence of journalists in Nigeria, with attacks and arbitrary arrests reported across various regions of the country.
Akwa Ibom State is among the states with a history of journalists being arrested and detained.
It remains unclear how the SUV gifted to the NUJ chairman by the state government will affect the union’s ability to defend journalists’ rights and maintain its independence in upholding journalistic principles.
Earlier, the Nigerian Union of Journalists national office described 2024 as a tough year for journalists in the country.
The union in the statement signed by its National Secretary, Achike Chude, said, “We also cannot forget that 2024 was a particularly difficult year for journalists and the practice of journalism as the profession witnessed series of attacks and harassments from state and non-state actors.
“As we move gradually into 2025, we hope that our political elites, especially those saddled with governance at all levels will realise the importance of fully harnessing the little hope that is left in our people for national development.
“The NUJ is calling on the nation’s leaders to rise above the mediocrity and negative sentiments that continue to characterise the discharge of their responsibilities.”
“They must, as matter of absolute priority come up with a proper elitist consensus on a national ethos for governance and development.
“But this must be driven by the Nigerian people who have the potential to become a much stronger political force capable of eschewing those divisive elements that place us in ethnic, religious, and geo-political categories.”
“Nigerians have proven that they can operate and interact better among themselves without these parochial cleavages and proclivities,” he added.