By Darlington UDOBONG
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, has said the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration will continue to open new vista for new media and online publishers in the state, stressing that platform owners must strive to create enduring brands that will stand the test of time.
Mr. Udoh, who stated this in Uyo on Wednesday during a courtesy call on him by members of the Coalition of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom (COOPA), said the world has taken keen notice of Akwa Ibom through activities of the new media.
The Commissioner, who also described COOPA as the future, said the industrialization thrust of the present administration, which is aimed at making Akwa Ibom a choice destination, will thrive better when indigenous online media managers and consultants walk abreast with the state government.
He called for more synergy that will aid the good and progress of the state, maintaining that the Ministry of Information and Strategy was turbocharged to turn the current trends of online publishers into world-class consultants.
Mr. Udoh said “though there will always be resistance to change, more stringent regulations and doggedness will make COOPA more endearing to the public and keep the organization on the path of ethics and professionalism. We must change the narrative. We must change the face of Akwa Ibom.”
He also dedicated the award of Patronship on him by the Organization to Governor Udom Emmanuel and prayed for resounding victory for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections for the good work to continue.
Earlier, the Chancellor of the Organization, Mr. Ifreke Nseowo, who was represented by its Secretary General, Mr. Nelson Nseabai, gave the Commissioner a background of what birthed COOPA, its journey so far and its “resolved to showcase Akwa Ibom as a brand, a destination of choice for business, being Nigeria’s next investment hub, or for pleasure, considering our rich potentials which the world is yet to discover.”
He said the purpose of the visit was hinged on “our willingness to work with you in the dissemination of the good news of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.”
The Chancellor also requested for inclusion of more online publishers and social media influencers into the State Government and a Secretariat for online publishers.
He expressed concerned over the alarming rate of threats and arrest of some members of the organization by operatives of the Nigeria Police, which he said has made COOPA members to perpetually live in fear.
The Chancellor further appealed to Information and Strategy Commissioner “to kick against impunity by the Nigerian Police who have allowed themselves to be used by politicians to intimidate journalists in the state.”
Highpoint of the visit was the official presentation of award and decoration of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy as a Patron of COOPA.
