Repositioning A’Ibom Media for Effective Developmental Engagement By Ukpong Ukpong Recently, media practice in Akwa Ibom State, received a major boost with the successful commissioning of the Emmanuel Enoidem ICT Resource Centre at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, which is among many paradigm swings by the Patrick Albert led executive of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) towards upgrading media practice in Akwa Ibom and repositioning media practitioners for effective developmental engagement. It would be an understatement to aver that media practice in Akwa Ibom State, since the return to civil rule, have witnessed remarkable growth. Both in numerical strength and quality of presentation, the profession has grown in leaps and bounds, especially these last seven years, in which there have been significant increases in both print and electronic genres. As a direct result of such growth, local media have not only better informed and entertained their audiences; they have contributed largely to raising public awareness as well as providing vital education necessary for progress. Mainly in the area of educating the citizens, Akwa Ibom media have been remarkable in sensitizing masses to participate effectively in state nay national development. It was Wilbur Schramm, while examining the importance of effective and free flowing information systems and how mass media can stimulate social and economic development in emerging nations, in his book ‘Mass Media and National Development: The Role of Information in the Developing Countries’, who posited that: “The progress of a nation depends first and foremost on the progress of its people. Unless it develops their spirit and human potentialities it cannot develop much else — materially, economically, politically or culturally. The basic problem of most of the underdeveloped countries is not a poverty of natural resources but the underdevelopment of their human resources. Hence their first task must be to build up their human capital. To put it in more human terms, that means improving the education”. It goes without saying therefore that as a developing society, Akwa Ibom State and its local media cannot exist in seclusion; they must meet and interact since they can only thrive in symbiosis. Considering the high level of literacy and awareness produced by this relationship, one can wager that both have enjoyed the company of the other. Indeed, our society has evolved tremendously following loads of information transmitted to it by the press. Interest in new ideas like sustainable development, good governance, participatory politics and intelligibility between the leadership and followership are part of benefits from a vibrant local media. Today, a typical Akwa Ibom citizen, whether in the rural area, within the state capital or in the Diaspora, is much more aware of issues of governance than was possible 15 years ago thanks to the local media that also have significant presence on the internet and have in no small measure, contributed to the development of our consciousness, compelled accountability on the part of those entrusted with the mandate to serve in political offices as well as kept the citizenry abreast of issues as they come up. In addition, the local media have demystified political leadership in the state, making it simpler to understand and have forced politicians to concede to the people’s desire to know all there is about governance. Politicians must have realized by now that their activities can no longer be shrouded in mystery nor would holding secret meetings at unholy hours stop the press from obtaining facts of whatever was discussed at such meetings. Even though an insignificant section of the local media exhibit tendencies that are at variance with accepted ethical standards of the profession, yet they have transferred knowledge and empowered the people to make audacious demands for a better deal. As Schramm puts it:“The mass media bestow prestige and enhance the authority of individuals and groups by legitimizing their status. Recognition by the press or radio or magazines or newsreels testifies that one has arrived, that one is important enough to have been singled out from the large anonymous masses, that ones behaviour and opinions are significant enough to require public notice”. It is perhaps this thought that drives Elder Patrick Albert and his team. He has displayed insightful leadership in projecting the local media as a development tool that must be primed to work competently for the continuous betterment of society. Since their emergence, Patrick Albert and his team have determined to take up an unprecedented speed in developing members of the pen profession in the state as well as push for an enabling environment to enhance their capacity to deliver. Barely a month into the state executive council of the NUJ, this marvellous team quickly took up a position to seize a sizable chunk of uncommon transformation currently sweeping through the state. It decided to undertake a novel course, visiting all relevant individuals, government MDAs and private organizations; rebuilding relationships with these key sectors. Interestingly, even before completing that onerous task, the results started emerging. Patrick Albert have, in every given occasion, made his audiences understood that if the media must continue to efficiently serve society in a fast pace age, where speed and precision are the major menu at every interactive level then they must be equipped otherwise the society may suffer. For instance, it is not merely awkward but downright inappropriate for today’s journalists to go about carrying port folio bags containing news pads, ball point pens, analogue recorders and other brick-a-brack to gather news, when they should be working with internet enabled digital notebooks, laptops and recorders that would optimize their news gathering and processing right from the field, in tandem with the alacrity demanded in this cyber age. Good enough, it appears society has been listening to Patrick Albert as evidenced in the rapid transformation of facilities available to media practitioners in the state. The first sign of breakthrough was the successful receipt and circulation of laptops donated by Mobil Producing Unlimited followed by a promise by state government to give additional laptops to enable every journalist in the state possess at least one. Thanks to the Akwa Ibom State Government under the leadership of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the state council of the NUJ will soon have an ultra modern secretariat complex unmatched by any other in the entire country. Currently, through the benevolence of some government functionaries including the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Deacon Aniekan Umanah and his colleagues Mr. Don Etim (Commissioner for Works), Engr. Etido Inyang (SA on Technical Matters), Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim (fmr. State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Pastor Anietie Ukpe (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor) the state NUJ can boost of a safe and conducive milieu to operate from. They have assisted in making the Secretariat and Press Centre wear a new look, equipped with modern research and recreational facilities namely a well furnished viewing centre, press conference hall, a mini conference room, power generating plant for an uninterrupted power supply and others. Especially delightful to note is the recently commissioned Emmanuel Enoidem ICT Resource Centre, complete with a dozen internet enabled hi-tech computer systems and router to provide 24/7 internet hotspot for a nonstop web experience. This was made possible by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, with some assistance by the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Samuel Ikon. With these provisions, the outlook for media practice is certainly bright and one must commend the effort of Patrick Albert led state executive council of the NUJ for their tireless effort at constantly improving media practice in Akwa Ibom State as well as seeking the best working conditions for journalists. That said, it behoves on journalists, especially those who may not be computer savvy to seize this great opportunity to upgrade their skills to better serve the society as its watchdog. * Ukpong Ukpong is a journalist and a media consultant based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 16:55:11 +0000
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