By Dianabasi Effiong
A new Executive Council of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, was formally inaugurated on Tuesday in Uyo with a charge to its leadership to make the association a leading platform for credible and professional reporting in the state and in Nigeria’s energy and maritime sectors.
The group’s leadership unveiling brought together journalists, media executives, industry stakeholders, well-wishers, and guests.
The swearing-in of the new leadership was part of the unveiling of EMR’s vision for the Akwa Ibom chapter, headed by Harrison Ndifreke as State Chairman.
Other officers included Helen John Udofa, Vice Chairman; Mabel Ekanem, Secretary; Ofonime Honesty, Assistant Secretary; Josephine Ekpa, Treasurer; Deborah Young, Auditor; Udeme Utip, Public Relations Officer; Unyime Ekwere, KSJ, Welfare Officer; Solomon Okpo, Director of Programmes; and Diananasi Effiong, Director of Marketing.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Ndifreke said he would drive an inclusive administration, prioritise professional development, ethical journalism, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders in the energy and maritime sectors.
According to the state Chairman, the new executive will build a vibrant association that will empower members through continuous training, and contribute to national development by promoting accurate, balanced, and investigative reporting.
He also expressed appreciation to the national leadership of EMR for entrusting the new team with the responsibility of steering the affairs of the Akwa Ibom chapter.
He also assured that his team would meet members” confidence through dedicated service.
While acknowledging the efforts of the immediate past State Chairman, Dr Saviour Ekpe, whose tenure laid a strong foundation for the growth and stability of the association, Ndifreke said he would consolidate on Ekpe’s achievements through innovative programmes and collaborative leadership.
The state Chairman outlined a roadmap that included regular workshops and seminars, stronger collaboration with industry operators, and regulatory institutions.
He said he would also provide a leadership that would promote investigative journalism, and initiatives that would enhance the welfare and professional capacity of members.
He said that as long as the energy and maritime sectors continued to be strategic in Nigeria’s economic growth, journalists must be committed to holding institutions accountable while ensuring that factual and responsible reporting drives public discourse in the sector.
Ndifreke further called on members of the association to embrace unity, discipline, and teamwork.
He said that the success of the new chapter administration would depend on the commitment of stakeholders.
He appealed to government agencies, development partners, and private sector operators to partner with the association to promote knowledge sharing, transparency, and sustainable development within the industries.
The inauguration ceremony marked the beginning of a new leadership era for the Akwa Ibom State Chapter, with participants expressing confidence that the incoming Executive Council would strengthen the association’s role in promoting excellence in energy and maritime journalism and elevate its profile within the state, across Nigeria, and beyond.
Earlier, Ekpe, who is now the National Secretary, EMR, said that the group, a subset of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with its Beat in the oil, gas, power (electricity), and maritime sectors, had gone far in capacity building of members.
He said that the EMR, which had been in existence for more than 10 years, is also in Abuja, Lagos, and the Niger-Delta states of Nigeria.
