The Coordinator of the office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence from the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, “in recognition of her outstanding contributions to social development, humanitarian services and remarkable achievements, through the Golden Initiative for All, GIFA.
The award came during the 2026 Dinner and Awards Night of the Correspondents' Chapel and presentation of the Critique Magazine, on Friday April 10, at the NUJ Press Center, Uyo.
Lady Obareki who was represented at the occasion by the Member representing Urueoffong Oruko State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Precious Selong, thanked the group for the honour done her, underscoring the place of constructive and responsible journalism in state and nation building.
She stated that objectivity, balance, depth, and commitment to truth are journalism tenets that cannot be overstated, positing that it "is not about praise or criticism in isolation; it is about asking the right questions, presenting verified facts, and providing context that empowers citizens to act."
Obareki further noted that the theme of the event, 'From Insight to Action: The Role of the Media in Shaping the ARISE Agenda Legacy', was both reflective and forward-looking, as it challenges the society to move beyond simply understanding issues to actively shaping outcomes.
"The credibility of our institutions, the stability of our communities, and the trust of our people depend, in no small measure, on the quality of the stories you tell. Also, the success and legacy of the ARISE Agenda which is the blueprint of the State government depend largely on how well it is communicated, understood, embraced, and translated into real impact in the lives of Akwa Ibom people," she stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of Correspondents' Chapel of the NUJ, Comrade Bassey Akra, who described the event as a convergence of media practitioners to chart the development trajectory for Akwa Ibom State, said the ARISE Agenda of the State government was a workable blueprint capable of solving myriads of challenges confronting the State if well articulated and implemented.
The Chairman on the occasion and Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Senator Ita Enang, emphasized the critical role of journalists in strengthening democratic values, describing media engagements as highly respected platforms in society.
Enang commended the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for its contributions to the growth of democracy in Akwa Ibom State, and noted that the state has continued to evolve its development narrative, aligning the ARISE Agenda with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current federal administration.
In a keynote address, the Chairman of Top Faith University, Dr. Emmanuel Abraham, called on journalists to align their reportage with the development-driven vision of the state government under Governor Umo Eno.
He stressed the role of the media as a key partner in development, urging journalists to consistently highlight government initiatives and developmental strides.
Other women in the delegation from the office of the First Lady were the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah; the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Inibehe Silas; and Mrs Emem Orok.
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