By Magnus Effiong
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has commended Governor Prince Bassey Otu for appointing Journalists into key positions in the new government, describing the appointments as putting square pegs in square holes.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the Chapel, Mrs Eme Offiong of Voice of Nigeria and the Vice Chairman, Evangelist Joseph Kingston of the Blueprint newspaper, the Chapel said the appointments made so far was a reflection of the Governor’s big heart and that he meant well not only for the media profession but the entire State.
“We have observed with keen interest the appointments made so far by the Governor of Cross River state, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, especially as it concerns the media, and from all indications, the Governor is putting square pegs in square holes. For this, we commend His Excellency for reposing such trust and confidence in our members.
“Bringing in core professionals to man such sensitive areas shows what His Excellency has in store for Cross Riverians, and we believe that with the backing of the Almighty God, such display of pragmatism and vision will translate to a great Cross River in the near future
“Our dear Governor, you have shown character and vision for a better Cross River. Once again, thank you very much, but permit us, as Oliver Twists of old, to ask for more.
“Our colleagues are ready and determined to join hands with His Excellency to ensure his People First manifesto becomes a reality, and with this, we are convinced that indeed the season of sweetness for Cross River people has indeed come.
“We also use this period to congratulate our colleagues who have been called upon to serve. We hereby enjoin them to showcase the professional stuff in them even as we assure them of the continuous support of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ and indeed all Journalists in Cross River State,” the statement stated.
Recall that the Governor had, within the past few days, appointed Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chairman of NUJ Abuja Council as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Edem Darlington, publisher of the Parchment online newspaper, as the Deputy Chief Press Secretary (DCPS), and Bassey Samuel Nsor of FRCN Canaan City FM, Calabar, as the General Manager of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (GM, CRBC).
Other Journalists appointed were Alhaji Rasheed Olarenwaju of AIT television as Special Assistant, Media and Publicity; Imani Odey of Channels Television as Special Assistant, Electronic Media, as well as Oqua Etim of CRBC as Personal Assistant to the Governor on ICT.
