By Ekemini Simon
Today, November 9, 2016 is an unusually momentous day. Its build-up lasted for several weeks, while its anticipation stretches back as far as August. It’s neither a public holiday nor has any business with the United States of America’s Presidential election. Rather, it’s a day when a history maker marks his 100th day in office.
“100 Days in Office” may not be strange to our ears. In fact, it was coined by a former US President, Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt in a July 24, 1933 Radio address to his countrymen and it has since gained global currency. Over here in Nigeria, it’s been consistently marked since the country’s return to civilian leadership in 1999.
Consequently, all over the world, the anniversary of 100 days of any administration is treated with much importance. Admittedly, not even a Harry Potter, a Merlin or a Gandalf can fulfil all his promises in 100 days.
In fact, no administration can be judged by what it does in its first 100 days in office. You can’t do a fair and sensible assessment of performance of an administration in just three months. But you can look for clues on the leaders’ governing style, his depth of knowledge and understanding of the pressing issues of the day. You can look for insights and clues to show whether the new administration has the passion to move the leadership to the next level.
Today, as the Pilot of the affairs of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in Akwa Ibom State, Elder Patrick Albert marks his 100th day in office since breaking the second term jinx on August 2, 2016, it will not be out of place for his administration to be mirrored.
Declared winner through the overwhelming votes of members of NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert kick-started his administration with an inaugural message that will serve as a pedestal of which the Union will ride. "I pray for God's empowerment upon NUJ. Any door that was locked against NUJ be opened. Today, you have spoken that nothing is stagnant. That the society must experience dynamism. Today, you have decided to recreate a new path that is going to launch us to greater future." Certainly, that path of greatness has been the path which NUJ has moved since Elder Albert's second coming.
To put words to action, the meek Chairman ensured that unity returned to the Union by reaching out to members who had various electioneering interests to return to one fold and harmoniously work towards building the Union to attain greater heights.
Quite interestingly, he has continued to enjoy tremendous support from the media community. Within the first one week after his re-election, virtually all the broadcast stations – Planet FM, AKBC – TV, AKBC – Radio, NTA, Atlantic FM, Inspiration FM hosted him to a live interview. An in all, he exuded his usual, charming disposition and intelligence. And for Newspapers, Albert has continued to be inspiring, which can be measured from various good commentaries about him and his endearing styles. Like Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be," Albert has come has come to be a great motivator to many journalists especially the younger generation.
Quite early too he ensured the participation of Journalists from Akwa Ibom in a National Media Summit in Abeokuta, Ogun State. His fame within the NUJ family was quite obvious as he received applauses from the National leadership and colleagues throughout the period. At the South-South Zonal Conference of NUJ in Calabar, Cross River State, a he also accorded a similar scenario of commendation. Added to this, he was appointed the chairman of the NUJ Zone F “South-South” Award Committee. Albert at the recent NUJ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Jos, Plateau State got commended for constantly breaking new ground in his leadership.
He never stopped there, with a drive for qualitative leadership, Elder Albert discerned the need for an interface between past Chairmen and the current leadership, a platform where ideas will be ploughed through the wisdom of Elders.
The Chairman has also ensured that the wheel of relationship between Chapels and the State council leadership is properly greased through solidarity visits to chapels who have so far had their congresses since his return.
To demonstrate how his administration value members, Patrick Albert has never underestimated the importance of sharing in joyous and possibly painful moments of members, a gesture he does religiously. Already, he keeping with the Rebirth promise, his leadership has put forward a robust welfare scheme which when implemented will impact positively on the lives of members.
To keep members physically active, NUJ through Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) had organized a successful NUJ/SWAN games, a platform that afforded journalists opportunity to display other skills and keep fit besides writing.
Just as fragrance attracts, within 100 days in office, the leadership of the Union has played host to several top government functionaries, organized groups and bodies in their bid to seek partnership with the Union.
For a Union whose responsibility is to directly feel the pulse of the people and assist relevant authorities through its reports on how better the society can thrive, Elder Albert has never been found wanting in this task as he has always disposed himself to interact with various professional bodies, interest groups, organizations and government at all levels.
It is through such gesture that he pushed for a media parley between the State government and over 500 journalists in the State. A parley that will create a better understanding and relationship between the government and the press.
As a chairman with the toga of ‘uncommon performer’ by hundreds of admirers within and outside the NUJ, Albert has kept attracting uncommon goodwill to the Union to ease administrative challenges.
Clearly, in his first 100 days in office, the NUJ Chairman seems to be focused on laying the framework for the implementation of his campaign promises. Yet some of the preliminary results suggest clear-sighted efforts to target the roots of development in the Press Centre.
He is often echoing the words of Abraham Lincoln who said “I do the very best I know how — the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.” Certainly, Patrick Albert will live up to his excellence.
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