By Patrick Obia And Godwin Otang
The Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ); a Union housing digital media platforms in the State and the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council have lauded the Executive Governor of the State – Sen. Bassey Otu over the appointment of the Chairman Mr. Edem Darlington as his Deputy Chief Press Secretary.
Mr. Edem was on Monday, June 19th announced as Governor Otu’s Deputy CPS in a press release dated 19th June 2023, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh stating that it is with immediate effect.
ACROJ in a statement signed and made available by its Secretary-General Mrs. Umo Akwang thanked the Governor for making the right choice as it’s “one that has received wide acceptability because of his experience, leadership qualities, expertise and firm grip of the media sector in the state and beyond” the statement reads in part.”
Umo said the Association wishes to reiterate its commitment to partner with the government for the growth and betterment of Cross River.
The Statement added that: “ACROJ hopes this appointment will usher in and rejuvenate the cordial relationship the Association has been enjoying with the State government.”
Similarly, in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mrs. Eme Offiong, and the Vice Chairman, Evangelist Joseph Kingston, the Chapel said the appointments made so far is putting square pegs in square holes, a “reflection of the Governor’s big heart” and that “he means 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; 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 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, Chairman of Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ) and 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.