Hope of reconciliation is in the offing as the age long rivalry between the two major factions of Akwa Ibom Newspapers Distributors and Vendors Association worsened on Monday following the decision of the warring factions not to sell any Akwa Ibom state local newspaper in Uyo on Monday.
The crisis saw the union not distributing Monday’s edition of local tabloids in the state over crisis between the unions and vendors and some unresolved welfare issues between the union and newspaper publishers in the state.
But a new dawn has emerged following the intervention of Prince Emmanuel Sam, Publisher/CEO of the Guide newspaper who held a joint meeting with the two factions towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis that has divided the union for more than 15 years in the state.
At the end of the meeting which lasted for over two hours in Uyo on Tuesday, members resolved to bury their differences towards working together as strategic partners in Akwa Ibom Media Industry.
A 5-man committee was also set up to look at the immediate and remote causes of the conflict and recommend possible ways of resolving grey areas between the distributors and vendors in the state. An MOU is expected to be signed once the committee, which has a 28hour mandate, submits its report to Prince Sam.
He assured the association that the newspaper publishers in Akwa Ibom state, will soon come together with the union for a smooth business partnerships.
Speaking to our reporter, Prince Emmanuel Sam said he return all glory to God for using him as a vessel to resolve the crisis which has lasted for years and pledged his readiness to partner with other newspaper publishers in the state towards ensuring that the grievances of the union are looked into for a harmonious and peaceful working relationship to be established and maintained between the union and other relevant stakeholders in the media industry in the state.
