By Christian Njoku
Ms Archibong Bassey, first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council, on Thursday dedicated her latest recognition to late veteran journalist, Mr Anietie Akpan.
Bassey made the dedication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar while speaking on her inclusion in a compendium of 100 most outstanding women in Cross River.
She said Akpan, who was a Bureau Chief with Guardian Newspapers until his retirement, defended and supported her when she started practising journalism, adding that his intervention influenced her career.
The chairman who described the recognition as “very humbling,” said she initially had no particular interest when requested to submit her profile for the compendium.
According to her, the Chairman of the State Library Board contacted her weeks ago and requested her profile for inclusion in the publication.
“I just sent it without really attaching any interest to it,” she said, adding that she later received a congratulatory message informing her of her selection.
She said the selection followed a rigorous screening process, adding that the significance of the recognition became clearer after she saw the list of honourees.
“Several women who featured in the compendium are people I had admired while growing up so, I consider my inclusion alongside them a privilege.
“To be standing on the same platform with them is really, really humbling,” she said, while expressing gratitude to God for the recognition.
On the call for women to return to their former schools and beef up the libraries, Archibong said the appeal reminded her of an earlier plan concerning her primary school.
She said she had previously considered undertaking a project at the school but the idea was temporarily shelved while she focused on her current projects.
She noted that she had instructed her personal assistant to note the idea, promising that they would determine how best to support the school.
She said returning to the modest primary school where she had a humble beginning would be an opportunity to appreciate the institution for its role in her development.
