By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom council has conferred the award of excellence service delivery on Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mkpat Enin local government chairman, Ekanem Brown, 19 others and institutions.
The event which took place at Watbridge Hotels and Suites in Uyo, the state capital, was part of the activities marking the 2019 Correspondents Chapel Press Week.
The Press Week which had as the theme, “The Journalism: People and Impact” was an occasion planned by the members of the Chapel to appraise their performances as correspondents of national dailies covering Akwa Ibom state and chat a way forward for the betterment of the society.
Emmanuel bagged the Star Award for his quest to industrialize Akwa Ibom state and move the state’s economy from primarily agrarian production to mass-produce, technologically advanced goods and services.
Prior to 2015 when Governor Emmanuel took over the mantle of leadership in Akwa Ibom, the State according to National Bureau of Statistics report, was rated the highest in unemployment after Delta State in the South-South Zone, but leads other states in the zone in terms of income generation opportunities.
The Governor’s industrialization quest is seen as timely efforts to transform the state and sustain public-private sector initiatives, thereby, opening up opportunities for growth and improved standards of living of the people.
Also found worthy of honour was the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Ekanem Brown who bagged award as Best Local Government Chairman in the State.
The choice of Mr Brown for the award according to Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Idongesit Ashameri was due to his outstanding performance especially in the areas of human capacity development, domestication of the state government’s industrialization and agricultural revolution, and his commitment to rural development.
Ashameri said that the decision came after members have carefully reviewed Mr Brown activities, especially, in the areas of human capacity development.
The review revealed that the Council Boss has trained 210 youths in oil and gas-related skills, the empowered 413 women with loans and grants, in addition to his agricultural programmes and successful operation of a shoe factory to create employment and generate revenue for the Council, amongst other developmental initiatives.
Other eminent awardees who received the honour include Senator representing Uyo senatorial district, Senator Bassey Albert, Peoples Democratic Party National Legal Adviser, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, immediate past Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.
Others include member representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Onofiok Luke; Oruk Anam/Etim Ekpo Federal Constituency, Unyime Idem and Commissioner for Works in the State, Ephraim Inyang-eyen.
Other awardees include PDP State Publicity Secretary – Ini Ememobong, State Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association – Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Akan Okon among others while Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited – producers of prepaid electric meters in the state, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Akwa Ibom State University and Ibbil computers were recipients.
Responding on behalf of other award recipients, Soni Daniel, one the pioneer members of the correspondents’ chapel in the state, a seasoned journalist and media analyst who received a “Medal of Honour” award thanked members of the chapel for considering them worthy to be bestowed with the award of excellence
