...canvasses support for Speaker, members of the 6th Assembly
***Vows to make it a yearly event
By Mfonobong Ukpong
The member representing Esit-Eket/Ibeno state constituency in Akwa Ibom State of Assembly, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, Wednesday treated members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Press corps and other members of the media community in state to a new Year get together party and banquet at his Osong Ama residence in uyo, the state capital.
The dinner party which was attended by two of his colleagues in the House, namely, Hon Idongesit Ituen the representative of Itu State constituency, and his Mkpat -Enin counterpart, Hon. Engr. Otobong Ndem who came to show solidarity with the press, was described by Journalists as unprecedented in the history of the House of Assembly.
In attendance at the banquet were the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Mrs. Meflyn Anwana, Akwa Ibom state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert, Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Kufre Okon, Chapel chairmen of the union, Information Officers in the House of Assembly, President, National Association of Women Journalists, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Uduak Ekong, members of the House of Assembly Press corps, House correspondents, Publishers, Editors, Online reporters and bloggers, among others.
Addressing the gathering, the host, Hon. Usoro who described members of the fourth estate of the realm as one family he holds in high esteem, said he decided to gather them for a Christmas and new party in his house as show of his love towards them.
The lawmaker who is the Chairman, House committee on Appropriation and Finance, explained that the event was an opportunity for him to return thanks to God for keeping him alive though out last year, and sparing his life to see the new year, 2017. Giving account how the NUJ dinner and award night which was held on Friday 10th December, 2016 prevented him from waking up on time to attend the bishopric ordination ceremony that was held the following day, Saturday 11 December, 2016 at Refiners Bible Church where the unfortunate incident of building collapse occurred, the Assembly member said:
"I don't know where i would have sat, I don't know what would have happened to me.
"My being alive in 2017 is one of the reasons i called the press to celebrate with me in my house".
Hon. Usoro appreciated members of the press, especially those covering activities in the state House of Assembly for their support, understanding and cooperation they gave to him and his colleagues in the past year, and solicited same support in the new year.
He urged the Journalists to continue to accord the leadership of 6th Assembly as led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Onofiok Luke, and governor Udom Emmanuel the needed support and cooperation to enable them drive the Akwa Ibom project successfully for the benefit of all.
"It is very important for you and me to agree that from now henceforth, we have to partner for the growth and progress of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly and the government of Udom Emmanuel. Criticise me constructively".
He promised to make the get-together a yearly event that will be holding on 4th January of every year.
The lawmaker advised members of the press covering the legislature to continue to uphold the ethics of the media profession while reporting the House of Assembly, saying he welcomes constructive criticism in areas they feel he has not done well while discharging his legislative duties. He however cautioned them against employing blackmail on the lawmakers, saying such method would not help the legislators and the society.
In a good will message, the member representing Itu State constituency, Hon. Idongesit Ituen, commended his colleague for celebrating the new year with Journalists in the State, and used the opportunity to offer pieces of advice to the press community.
Mkpat Enin lawmaker, Engr. Otobong Ndem who himself hosted press last week, expressed happiness at the get together party hosted by his colleague from Esit-Eket/Ibeno, and assured of better times ahead.
State Chairman of NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert, thanked Hon. Usoro for deeming it fit to host members of the press in his house, and assured that the media will continue to partner the House of Assembly in highlighting it's activities and achievements.
In a thank you message, the Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Kufre Okon, who described the event as a healthy development, noted that the action of Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh was a further confirmation of the media friendly disposition of the 6th Assembly.
"We have the most media friendly House of Assembly. I think time has gone when politicians seek the hands of media men around them when they have crisis at hand".
He hinted that the Speaker will soon meet the press.
Earlier, the Chairman, Forum of Media aides to lawmakers in the House of Assembly, Mr. Torobong Inyang appreciated Hon. Usoro for taking the lead to host the press in a big way, and expressed hope that the new year party hosted by the lawmaker would further cement a robust working relationship between the press and the House of Assembly.
Setting the tone for the gathering, the Publisher and Editor- in-Chief of the INK Newspaper, Mr. Nsibiet John, who thanked the Journalists for honouring the invitation, said the get together party was put together to appreciate members of the press for their show of solidarity and support to Hon. Usoro over the past year.
There was enough to eat and drink at the party as,
Members of the press thereafter joined the trio of Hon. Usoro, Idong Ituen and Otobong Ndem on the dance floor.
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