By Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has immortalized the late wife of the Governor, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Kemi Umo Eno, by naming its newly completed auditorium in her honour.
The Patience Kemi Umo Eno NUJ Auditorium, located at the NUJ State Secretariat, Uyo, was commissioned on Friday, August 1, 2025, by Governor Umo Eno. The project, which fulfills a pledge made by the Governor during the union’s New Year Thanksgiving Service earlier this year, marks a significant milestone in the history of the council.
Announcing the naming of the facility, the outgoing NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, said the decision was unanimously adopted at the last Congress in recognition of the late First Lady’s compassion and humanitarian contributions.
“Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno was not only a pillar of support to the Governor but also a mother figure whose kind deeds touched many lives. This naming immortalizes her legacy and impact on our people,” Etuk declared.
Governor Eno, visibly touched by the gesture, commended the NUJ for the honour and reiterated his administration’s support for a free and vibrant press. He also lauded Comrade Etuk’s professionalism, noting that his leadership helped to project Akwa Ibom positively.
“In all you have done, you have promoted Akwa Ibom as a state, and not demoted it. Governments will come and go, but Akwa Ibom remains constant,” the Governor remarked.
As recognition of service, Governor Eno announced the appointment of Comrade Amos Etuk as Senior Special Assistant on Local Media and donated brand-new official vehicles to members of the outgoing NUJ State Executive Committee, fulfilling yet another promise to the union.
Addressing journalists ahead of the forthcoming NUJ elections, the Governor urged members to maintain peace, decorum, and professional ethics, stressing that his support for them was based on their responsible conduct in preserving harmony in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, described the Governor as a leader who keeps his promises. He noted that no journalist has been harassed or detained since Governor Eno assumed office, a development he said reflects the administration’s respect for press freedom.
NUJ National President, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya, equally praised the Governor for appointing journalists to strategic roles and for fostering a strong partnership with the media.
In his farewell speech, Comrade Etuk described the commissioning as a historic milestone, recalling that the project began nearly two decades ago under the chairmanship of Comrade Israel Umoh. He assured the Governor of NUJ’s sustained cooperation with government.
The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the Patience Kemi Umo Eno NUJ Auditorium, a lasting tribute to the late First Lady’s compassion and a symbol of enduring collaboration between the state government and the media community.
