By Kingsley Agim
Cross River Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, has described the existing symbiotic relationship between the State Government and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as politically sacrosanct.
The Information Commissioner who made the assertion, Thursday, while playing host to the Executives of the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in his office in Calabar, maintained that an administration led by Governor Bassey Otu, which runs a 'People First' manifesto ought to have its policies, programmes, projects and deliverables adequately propagated by an ethically bounded and professionally trained organization like the NUJ.
"Your visit was very timely. There is a lot we would achieve with the NUJ in the State. We need to strategically synergize.
"Let me assure you that Cross River State Government under Senator Otu would continue to support Journalists in the State," Ekpang assured the NUJ.
The Commissioner charged Journalists to continue to project the State in positive light, pointing out that inaccurate and faulty information impair the growth and image of government.
He reminded the Union of the giant strides recorded by the present administration in health, infrastructure, education, environment and many more, barely seven months of assumption of office, noting that the Otu-led government is one which is transparent and poised to change the narratives that will take Cross River State to an enviable heights.
He assured the NUJ Executives of conveying all their pleas to Governor Otu, while expressing optimism that the 'People First' advocate would extend his welfarist disposition to all of them.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, Comrade Nsa Gill, after congratulating the Commissioner on his appointment, said the essence of their visit was to strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership with the government through the Information Ministry.
While pledging his Union's readiness to support government in line with the ethics practice of the journalism profession, he appealed for the return of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) to Cross River State to further strengthen and boost capacity of personnel in information and communication management in the State.
He also sought partnership with the Ministry for effective execution of ministerial press briefing, project inspection/ media tours, amongst other political engagements in order to disseminate accurate and balanced information to the public.
NSA used the occasion to appeal to the Commissioner to facilitate training and re-training of information Officers as well as ensure the promotion of Journalists in the public employ whose promotions have been long overdue.
He further pleaded with the government to assist the Union in the remodeling of the NUJ Press Centre as well as facilitate the construction of a befitting Secretariat complex on their allocated plot of land along Jonathan Bypass Way to meet the standard of other centres across the country.
Comrade Gill intimating the Commissioner of upcoming media-related events, notably, World Press Freedom Day, NUJ Week, and other extracurricular activities that will be communicated to the Chief image maker including the induction of the Commissioner as Associate Member of the Union in the offing.
