By Patrick Titus, Uyo
The Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniekan Umanah has called on the media professionals in the state to sustain the tempo of reporting government activities with fact and objectivity.
Umanah made the call on Tuesday when he received members of the 2026 Press Week Planning Committee of the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid him a courtesy visit in the office in Uyo.
Umanah also lauded journalists for objectively reporting the achievements of the Umo Eno administration, noting that the prevailing peace in Akwa Ibom, even during the primaries, reflects the Governor’s peaceful disposition.
“Continue to stay in the path of fact and objectivity to avoid cybercrime or issues of defamation. Read the Cybercrime Act and see the dos and don’ts. Electronic vandalism and stalking is not permitted anywhere in the world. I plead with you, don’t allow yourselves to be used.”
He however used the occasion to caution practitioners against misinformation and unethical conduct.
“Let’s use this opportunity to caution against fake news. What is wrong is wrong, what is right is right. Journalism is about verification and keeping to ethical standards. Ensure what you publish is factual rather than misleading the public,” Umanah said.
Umanah thanked the committee for the visit and assured that the Ministry will work and partner with them till the event is successfully delivered.
“We will do our best to ensure the Governor sees your invitation till he gives proper directives. I assure you that we will continue to collaborate to ensure the cause of journalism is a success,” he said.
The Commissioner said the introduction of Ministerial Briefings by Governor Umo Eno is aimed at entrenching accountability and keeping the people abreast of government policies and programmes.
He cited the recent increment in teachers’ salaries and the payment of backlog of gratuity, payment of examination fees for students as evidence of the government’s people-centered governance.
Earlier, the chairman of the 2026 NUJ Press Week Planning Committee, Comrade Gideon Ekere, had told the Commissioner that the visit was to formally brief the Ministry on preparations for the Press Week and to solicit its support.
He commended the Commissioner for making government activities felt and known at the grassroots through effective information management.
According to him, the Press Week remains the biggest event in the NUJ calendar. He disclosed that the 2026 edition will commence on November 29, 2026, with a Thanksgiving Service at St. Louis Catholic Church, Ukana, the hometown of Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“I thank you for the sustained partnership, where journalists are free to express themselves and not being intimidated by anybody. We solicit your support for the successful hosting of the event,” Ekere said.
