News Investigators/ Ita Enang, has charged journalists to ensure that their reportage of the 2027 electioneering aligns strictly with the nation’s electoral act.
Mr Enang, Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, made the call in Uyo at a dinner to mark the 2026 Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists in Akwa Ibom.
He said that through positive reportage, journalists could build democracy and set the agenda for sustainable development at both national and state levels.
“Let us jointly protect our democracy, let everyone play by the rules, the Electoral Act should guide us,” he said.
Mr Enang used the occasion to express his continued effort towards aligning Akwa Ibom with the government at the centre in order to attract development and relevance.
Delivering the keynote speech, Emmanuel Abraham, said that the media as an integral part of the Gov. Umo Eno-led government’s ARISE Agenda, should play key roles towards the success of the government.
“The media should support to transform the agenda from a policy document to lived and living experiences for the government and people of the state,” he said.
Speaking on the topic: “Role of the Media in Shaping the Arise Agenda Legacy in Akwa Ibom State” Abraham urged the media to focus on developmental journalism.
He also urged the media to engage in strategic public enlightenment in order to interpret the ARISE Agenda policy framework and philosophy to the people.
Mr Abraham, also the Founder, Topfaith Group of Schools and Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom, said that the ARISE Agenda required being understood by Akwa Ibom people.
“It is the duty of the media to simplify the message of prosperity and meaning in the ARISE Agenda to the understanding of the ordinary people.
The Chapel Chairman, Bassey Anthony, said that the event was the correspondents’ way of celebrating themselves.
Mr Bassey expressed the commitment of the chapel to ensure fact-based reporting at all time.
“As representatives of national media organs in Akwa Ibom, we are determined to be objective and truthful in order to enthrone a decent society,” he said.
NAN
