By Solomon OKPO
Media professionals in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District have been urged to reposition themselves for financial independence by converting their professional skills into sustainable income streams, as digital media continues to redefine the global information economy.
This call was made by Elder (Comrade) Edet Okpo, PhD, during a one-day seminar themed “Turning Media Skills into Profitable Income Generating Business,” held on Wednesday, January 15, 2026, at Eden Hotels Limited, Eket.
Addressing participants, Okpo emphasized that the digital age has created unprecedented opportunities for journalists and media practitioners to earn beyond traditional newsroom engagements.
He identified tech writing and blogging as viable pathways for freelance income, content monetisation and sponsored engagements, stressing that relevance in today’s media space depends largely on continuous adaptation to digital tools and trends.
He noted that an entrepreneurial mindset anchored on creativity, innovation and problem-solving was no longer optional but essential for survival in the increasingly competitive global media environment.
The seminar was organised by the Association of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals to equip members with practical knowledge required to thrive in the digital economy.
The programme featured renowned ICT and tech writing consultants, Ms. Emediong Eduongo, Founder of The Hustle Space, and Elder Peter Etukudoh, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kreativity Ventures, who were billed to dissect the theme and sub-themes, including blogging for financial independence.
Okpo commended the Patron of the association and Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Ekong Sampson, PhD, for co-sponsoring the seminar.
He also praised the senator for his sustained investment in capacity building through previous collaborations with the Nigerian Press Council, which facilitated ICT and strategic media trainings for selected media professionals and youths in the district.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Executive Council and members of the association, Okpo expressed deep satisfaction with Senator Sampson’s representation at the National Assembly, describing it as result-oriented and impactful across the core mandates of lawmaking, oversight and constituency representation.
He condemned what he described as attempts by “self-centred individuals” to deploy gutter journalism to undermine the senator’s developmental efforts, vowing that the association would use credible media platforms to expose actions that undermine collective progress in the senatorial district.
Highlighting Senator Sampson’s legislative advocacy and constituency interventions, Okpo listed areas such as maritime and coastal economy, environmental protection, youth empowerment, industrial reactivation, health, infrastructure and education as sectors where tangible impacts have been recorded across the 12 local government areas of the district.
He cited the facilitation of employment for over 40 constituents in federal ministries, departments and agencies, sponsorship of students in tertiary institutions, and the recent disbursement of ₦100 million education grants to 500 indigent students and teachers as evidence of effective representation.
The association also expressed gratitude to the senator for pledging to institute a trust fund for members and distribute laptops to beneficiaries of earlier trainings, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the journalism profession.
In the same vein, Okpo applauded the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association and Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, for sponsoring about 10 members for a six-week ICT, video and audio production training at a broadcast academy in Lagos.
The seminar attracted commendations for stakeholders including the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, and Mr. Frank Archibong, for their consistent support for media development initiatives in the state.
The Evangelist News
