Should The Next Commissioner For Information Be A Journalist?

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Should The Next Commissioner For Information Be A Journalist ?

ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK

Now that Governor Umo Eno has dissolved the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council and is set to appoint new members soon, it seems it is the right time to raise the question whether the next commissioner for information should be a journalist.

Though opinions may be divided but several schools of thought believe that a journalist should be in charge of the ministry of information. They maintain that there should be no more appointment of other professionals to head the ministry of information.

This is important because since the return of democracy in 1999, when Obong Victor Attah was the Governor, Mr Parchi Umoh a well known journalist has been the only journalist that was made the commissioner of information.

Parchi as he was fondly called had a distinguished career in journalism, rising to a top management position at Champion Newspapers published by the late Emmanuel Iwunyanwu. Mr Chris Abasieyo, the Prince of Bakassi also had a brief stint as the commissioner for information. There was also Engr Patrick Ekpotu who was the commissioner for information during Attah’s regime

The significance here is that Parchi was able to be made a member of the newspapers management team by dint of hard work and had paid his dues in the industry.

So his appointment was to say the least, a well deserved appointment. Of course, Obong Attah was known for choosing the right persons into positions of responsibility.

After Attah’s tenure, it was time for the former Governor Godswill Akpabio to appoint commissioners. He appointed Mr Census Ekpo as the commissioner for information who was later deployed to the ministry of Environment after which he left the exco after the unfortunate incident over Etuk street market relocation.

Enter Mr Aniekan Umanah, who replaced Mr Ekpu and was in office for eight years or more. He was a popular media manager that will be remembered for the uncommon transformation series on television and excellent media management skills. But was Mr Umanah a journalist? He had a background in marketing in the then popular news magazine in the country.

Mr. Umanah was succeeded by Mr Charles Udoh who served as commissioner for Information after being appointed by the immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

He was later deployed to two other ministries before he left the exco following last week’s dissolution of the state exco.

Mr. Udoh, a well known personality who served in the exco for more than seven years had a rich background in the banking sector before his appointment. And the question again is: “was he a journalist?”

Succeeded by Comrade Ini Ememobong, a lawyer and Linguist as well as conflict analyst and peace advocate, his tenure was marked by elevated Public Relations engagements.

One cannot forget the idea of celebrating the birthdays of former commissioners of information, to the extent of visiting them at their residences.

Comrade Ememobong warmed the hearts of many when he served as the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State.

Former Governor Udom Emmanuel may have picked Comrade Ememobong as information commissioner, the responsibility of such an exalted office he discharged quite creditably due to his enviable past records of achievements.

Can one forget that he would greet and shake hands with everybody during media interactions and media parleys hosted by the Governor ?

He would always stay behind during press conferences and often, the last person to depart any media event organised by the state government. He must have known the over 700 journalists in Akwa Ibom State by their first names. But was Comrade Ememobong a journalist ?

Though scholars have argued that communication is too important to be left only for media professionals, others have also argued that journalism and media management should be handled solely by those who have had practical experiences, those who know the onions of the profession.

Others have taken the argument further by saying that though journalists fought the military to a standstill for the return of democracy, they are the least group of the beneficiaries of democratic dividends

For instance, in Akwa Ibom State, one can count with the fingers the number of Journalists appointed by the state government into positions of responsibility.

In fact, the state government has yet appointed any journalist to serve on any committee.

For Prof. Charles Obot, a former employee of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) now with the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies,University of Uyo, it is the the appropriate thing to do.

A seasoned journalist should appointed to head to head the ministry of information not only in Akwa Ibom State but in any state of the federation.

“It will make the job of the appointee a lot easier. The commissioner will bring to the table the constituency that had earned him credibility, confidence and goodwill.

“It will not take a long him a long time to earn the good and confidence of the people. It will eliminate apprehension and will be a win-win situation both for the government and the appointee,” he said.

For Dr Charles Effiong, a former journalist and now a senior lecturer, department of Theatre and Communication Studies, University of Calabar, a seasoned journalist is a technocrat and a professional who deserves to be made the commissioner in charge of the ministry of Information.

“As a professional, he knows how to manage and promote and manage the image of his principal and is conversant with the rules of engagement, ” he said

Akwa Ibom State is known for having the best brains in the media industry. Time was when a reputable media house in the country was dominated by indigenes of the state.

Notable journalists from Akwa Ibom State have been celebrated across the country but it appears the proverbial saying that a prophet is not recognized at home has been holding sway in the state.

Perhaps this is the time for increased advocacy for a journalist to be appointed as the commissioner for information in Akwa Ibom State.

Can one imagine someone who is not a medical doctor being appointed as the commissioner for health.

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