The Akwa Ibom State Government has paid four months’ stipends to the selected pro-government journalists in the state, following a report by The Guide Newspaper on the prolonged non-payment of stipend.
The payment comes days after The Guide Newspaper reported on Monday that journalists receiving the stipends had gone more than five months without payment, raising concerns about their welfare amid growing family and financial responsibilities.
Although the payment brings relief to the affected journalists, one month’s arrear remains outstanding.
The stipend, commonly referred to as ‘Danjuma’, has reportedly been paid to selected journalists over the years, dating back to the administration of former Governor Victor Attah. The stipend is intended to support journalists covering government activities in the state and are usually processed through the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
In its earlier report, The Guide Newspaper disclosed that journalists who approached the Chief Press Secretary over the delay were reportedly told that Governor Umo Eno had not yet approved the release of the funds.
The report also highlighted the financial pressure the delay placed on beneficiaries, particularly during the school resumption period, when parents faced additional expenses, including school fees and other educational needs.
The publication further drew attention to concerns raised by the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association (INPA), which criticised the handling of journalists’ welfare and called on the Governor to intervene in the matter immediately.
Akparawa Prince Emmanuel Sam, Chairman of INPA’s Board of Trustees, had urged Governor Eno to pay greater attention to the welfare of journalists and newspaper publishers in the state, while calling on him to look beyond the advice of his media aides and address the concerns of media practitioners.
Sam maintained that journalists and publishers should not be left struggling to obtain payments intended to support their work and welfare, particularly at a time when their financial responsibilities were increasing. He also expressed concern that the conduct of some government media aides could worsen public perceptions of the administration rather than improve its relationship with media practitioners.
Before publishing the initial report, The Guide Newspaper contacted members of the Governor’s media management team for comments on the unpaid stipends, but they did not respond to the inquiries.
The payment of four months’ arrears marks a significant development following the newspaper’s report. However, the outstanding one-month balance remains unpaid, leaving beneficiaries awaiting the settlement of the full arrears.
The Guide Newspaper remains committed to publishing factual and responsible reports on issues affecting the public and holding relevant authorities accountable. The newspaper also reiterates its commitment to defending the integrity, dignity and welfare of journalists in Akwa Ibom State.
The newspaper will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Danjuma stipends and report further updates in the public interest.
