By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South-South Zone, has described Cross River State as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, commending the administration of Governor Bassey Otu for sustaining a conducive environment for development, investment, and media practice.
The declaration was made during a courtesy visit by officials of the NUJ South-South Zone to the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, in Calabar as part of activities marking the union’s zonal meeting hosted in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the National President of the NUJ, the South-South Zonal Vice President Opaka Dokubo lauded the cordial relationship between the Cross River State Government and the media, noting that the atmosphere of peace and stability in the state stands in sharp contrast to the security challenges confronting many parts of the country.
“Cross River State remains a haven of peace and development. Today, insecurity has become a major challenge in many parts of Nigeria, but Cross River continues to stand out as a place where people can live, work, and move around freely,” he said.
According to him, the level of peace enjoyed in the state reflects the confidence of the people in government and the impact of policies aimed at improving their welfare.
“It is only a satisfied people, people who are happy with the direction of governance, that can sustain this level of peace and harmony. We commend the Governor and his team for creating an enabling environment for development and for supporting the media in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities,” he added.
The zonal leadership of the union also expressed appreciation to the state government for recent interventions at the NUJ Secretariat, particularly the provision of electricity, describing the gesture as a significant boost to journalism practice.
The union noted that access to reliable power remains critical to modern journalism, where reporters and media organizations depend heavily on electronic devices, internet connectivity, and digital tools to gather and disseminate information.
“We are deeply grateful to the government for powering the NUJ Secretariat. For journalists, electricity is not a luxury; it is a necessity. This intervention will greatly improve our operations and enhance our ability to effectively serve the public,” the union said.
While commending the government, the NUJ appealed for support towards the construction of a more befitting secretariat for journalists in the state, noting that the current facility has become inadequate for the growing needs of the profession.
Responding, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, reaffirmed the Otu administration’s commitment to maintaining a robust partnership with the media and pledged to advocate for improved infrastructure for the union.
Ekpang described Cross River as one of the safest destinations in Nigeria, attributing the prevailing peace to deliberate investments in security by Governor Otu’s administration.
“Today, Cross River is among the safest states in the country. You can move around Calabar at any time of the day or night without fear. This is the result of deliberate efforts by the government to strengthen security and create an environment where people can thrive,” he said.
The Commissioner assured the union of the government’s continued support, emphasizing that journalists remain critical stakeholders in the state’s development agenda.
He further disclosed that Cross River’s peaceful environment continues to attract major national and international events, including investment conferences and professional gatherings, adding that the state remains open for business and tourism.
The visit coincided with Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration, providing an opportunity for both the government and media practitioners to reflect on the country’s democratic journey and the role of a free press in promoting accountability, good governance, and sustainable development.
The NUJ delegation reiterated its commitment to fostering responsible journalism and strengthening collaboration with governments across the South-South region in the interest of peace, democracy, and national development.
