By Iniubong Sam
Journalists, media executives, government officials and labour leaders have stressed the need for ethical journalism, continuous professional development and improved welfare for media practitioners at the Leadership Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council.
The summit, held on Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo, was part of activities marking the first anniversary of the Comrade Nsibiet John-led administration. It brought together members of the State Working Committee, chapel executives and other stakeholders to discuss the future of journalism under the theme, “Journalism and Leadership: Balancing Editorial Independence with Government Policies.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, described journalism as a profession undergoing rapid transformation due to the emergence of artificial intelligence, digital platforms, citizen journalism, misinformation and changing audience expectations.
He said technology should support journalism rather than replace the ethical judgment, context and responsibility that remain the duty of journalists.
“Technology should enhance journalistic practice, not replace journalistic thinking. Facts may be generated by algorithms, but wisdom, sound judgment, empathy and ethical responsibility remain uniquely human,” Umanah said.
The Commissioner urged journalists to uphold editorial independence, embrace innovation responsibly and remain committed to professionalism while strengthening strategic partnerships and members’ welfare.
Chairman of the session and former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.)
Onofiok Luke, Ph.D., challenged journalists to prioritise continuous learning and capacity building, stressing that professional relevance depends on constant self-development.
“Without conscious efforts and capacity-building, you’ll not be able to respond to the challenges of this profession,” he said.
Luke urged journalists to embrace innovation, strengthen their leadership capacity and remain relevant in an increasingly digital media environment.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, said the summit was organised to equip journalists with the leadership skills needed to address the challenges facing the profession.
“As journalists leading our colleagues, we find it difficult to understand certain challenges and why these difficulties come to us. It is believed a lot of times that we should have answers to all questions thrown at us whether we are there or not. This is one of the justifications for this event,” he said.
Nsibiet disclosed that the council had spent over ₦8 million on members’ welfare within one year in office, describing welfare as one of the priorities of his administration.
“So far, in terms of finances, we have spent not less than ₦8 million on the welfare of our members,” he stated.
He also reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting journalists’ rights and promoting professionalism across all chapels.
“We will not stop promoting professionalism among our members. We’ll also ensure that we continually protect the rights of our members. So far, we’ve not had any of our members involved in a court case. This is a plus to us,” he added.
Also speaking at the summit were the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Sunny James, and veteran journalist Comrade Comfort Umanah, who emphasised the importance of ethical leadership, mentorship, investigative reporting and digital competence in strengthening public confidence in the media.
Speakers also highlighted the need to improve journalists’ welfare through better working conditions, regular training and initiatives that would strengthen members’ financial well-being. They noted that poor welfare remains one of the major challenges confronting journalism and called for practical measures to address it.
Participants also emphasised the importance of mentoring young journalists and equipping media practitioners with digital skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing media landscape.
The Leadership summit ended with renewed discussions on strengthening leadership within the union, improving members’ welfare, promoting ethical journalism and preparing journalists to meet the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.
