By Etebong Akpan
Tomorrow, August 2, 2025, the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will hold its triennial conference and election at the Union’s Secretariat along Information Drive, Uyo. While such events are standard in the life of the Union, the 2025 edition bears the weight of heightened expectations, ideological contest, and generational divergence. It is more than an election—it is a referendum on the future of journalism in the state.
This election marks the end of a six-year, two-term tenure of Comrade Amos Etuk, whose stewardship brought stability, visibility, and renewed confidence to the state council. From infrastructure upgrades to legal reconciliation and institutional revitalization, the Etuk era has created a benchmark that now shapes the campaigns and aspirations of those seeking to succeed him.
Four prominent contenders—Comrades Nsibiet John, Nene Afia, Esther Effiong, and Edet Effiong (Sly)—are in the race. All are former chapel chairpersons, familiar with the intricate workings of the NUJ, and committed to pushing its boundaries further.
A FOUR-WAY RACE: PROFILES, PROMISES, AND PHILOSOPHIES
Nsibiet John: Publisher, Policy Man, and the Federated Flagbearer
Comrade Nsibiet John, the publisher of The Ink Newspaper and former Chairman of the Federated Chapel, is the lone candidate from the private media in this year’s contest. Nsibiet is running on a platform anchored on service delivery, accountability, and institutional empowerment.
Known for his no-nonsense editorial voice and independent outlook, Nsibiet has challenged the emerging argument that the chairmanship should return to the state-owned media bloc following Etuk’s exit. “There’s no clause in the NUJ Constitution mandating media ownership rotation. What we need is vision, not zoning,” he declared at a recent delegates’ forum.
His manifesto includes plans for:
Robust welfare packages for members
Digitization of Union records and activities
Monthly performance scorecards and transparent budgeting
Press freedom monitoring and legal aid for journalists in distress
With strong grassroots support, especially among Federated Chapel members and correspondents, Nsibiet is considered a serious contender whose reformist message is resonating far beyond his primary base.
Nene Afia: The Institutionalist with a Bridge-Building Agenda
Comrade Nene Afia, a career Information Officer with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information, is one of the most experienced candidates in the race. A former two-term Vice Chairman of the State Council, she brings institutional continuity, strategic temperament, and wide administrative network to the contest.
Soft-spoken yet assertive, Nene is seen as the stabilizing force who can consolidate the progress made under Etuk while expanding the Council’s engagement with both government and private stakeholders. Her support base includes seasoned journalists, information officers, and delegates who prefer steady evolution over radical overhaul.
Her manifesto focuses on:
Deepening existing welfare structures
Chapel capacity development and micro-grants
Inter-chapel conflict resolution frameworks
Strengthening ties with government institutions without compromising journalistic autonomy
“She is a bridge between experience and efficiency,” said a supporter from the State Information Chapel.
Esther Effiong: The Welfare Warrior with Chapel Credibility
Also from the State Information Chapel, Comrade Esther Effiong, a long-serving Information Officer and former chapel chairperson, has built her campaign around practical welfare interventions and grassroots responsiveness.
Esther is known for her dedication to member support—whether lobbying for transport stipends or organizing support for sick colleagues. Her quiet but steady contributions have earned her respect, particularly among junior staff and field reporters in the hinterlands.
Her manifesto includes:
Creation of an NUJ Members’ Cooperative
Emergency health and burial support funds
Enhanced transport stipends for reporters on field assignments
Focused engagement with young journalists and chapel officers
While not the most visible candidate in public forums, her consistent interpersonal engagements have made her a formidable voice, particularly in inner-circle caucuses and chapel consultations.
Effiong Okon (Sly): Lawyer, Innovator, and the Reform Candidate
Comrade Effiong “Sly” Effiong adds another layer to the contest. A lawyer, Information Officer, and former chapel leader, Sly is running a digital-first, rights-driven campaign that appeals to younger journalists and legal-conscious media practitioners.
His legal background gives him an edge in advocating press freedom, while his digital literacy has fueled conversations around transforming Union processes. Sly has pitched himself as the change agent who combines administrative insight with legal sharpness and futuristic thinking.
His key proposals include:
Introduction of a Media Protection Desk with pro bono legal support
Internal audits and digital record keeping
Setting up of an NUJ Learning Hub for digital and safety training
Partnering with tech-based media institutions for innovation funding
“If we want to protect the future of journalism, we must understand both its threats and its digital possibilities,” he stated at a youth media forum.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: MEDIA OWNERSHIP AND ZONING POLITICS
While all candidates focus on issues, one debate continues to shape whispers in delegates’ circles—the informal rotation of leadership between the government and private media blocs.
With the outgoing chairman, Amos Etuk, coming from the private sector, a quiet campaign has emerged suggesting that the 2025 chairmanship should revert to the government media, especially the State Information Chapel. This narrative underpins much of the subtle alliances behind the three Information Officer candidates.
But Nsibiet John, the only private media candidate, has strongly resisted this idea, calling it “undemocratic and unconstitutional.”
“Competence has no chapel. NUJ must rise above workplace zoning and put forward its most capable hands,” he said during an interview with The Fourth Estate Monitor.
This emerging dichotomy between state media and private media candidates has, in many ways, deepened political calculations—but may also energize voters seeking a merit-based paradigm.
THE NUMBERS: WHO HOLDS THE VOTES?
There are 789 accredited delegates drawn from 18 chapels. The Federated Chapel (Nsibiet’s base) and the State Information Chapel (home to Nene, Esther, and Sly) are the largest in terms of population.
With three candidates from the State Information Chapel, vote splitting may play a decisive role. If Nsibiet can secure a bulk of the Federated vote and make inroads into smaller or undecided chapels like Correspondents, AKBC, Pioneer, Atlantic ,NTA and Sports Writers or even NAWOJ, his chances strengthen.
Observers believe that the final outcome may depend on:
How well each candidate consolidates home-base support
Which camp earns the swing votes from less populous chapels
The effectiveness of last-minute coalition building and delegate persuasion
THE LEGACY OF AMOS ETUK
Comrade Amos Etuk’s tenure is a reference point in this election. His leadership restored order after a turbulent interregnum marked by legal battles and administrative paralysis. Under his watch:
The NUJ Secretariat was renovated
Unity was rebuilt among fractured chapels
NUJ Akwa Ibom regained national relevance
Professional ethics and identity were promoted
Though he has maintained neutrality in the race, candidates often reference his reforms and express a desire to “consolidate and expand” on his gains.
His legacy of inclusive, measured leadership has become both a benchmark and a compass for the next administration.
THE BIGGER TASK: DEFENDING JOURNALISM IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Beyond the politics, personalities, and positions, lies a bigger challenge: protecting and projecting journalism in an increasingly hostile media environment.
Akwa Ibom journalists, like their counterparts across Nigeria, face:
Insecure work conditions and unpaid salaries
Intimidation and harassment in the line of duty
Weak legal protection and limited professional insurance
A shrinking space for investigative and developmental journalism
The next NUJ chairman must do more than lead meetings—they must advocate, defend, innovate, and inspire. They must:
Build legal partnerships for journalist defense
Pursue better working conditions across media platforms
Invest in digital training and safety protocols
Foster collaborations with civil society and global press freedom networks
This is not just about protecting members—it’s about preserving the integrity of the pen in a democracy increasingly suspicious of its own watchdogs.
FINAL THOUGHTS: A DEFINING CHOICE
As the curtain lifts on the 2025 NUJ triennial election, delegates face a defining choice. Will the Union embrace tradition or transition? Will it elect a leader of comfort or courage? Will it reaffirm zoning or reassert merit?
The four candidates—Nsibiet John, Nene Afia, Esther Effiong, and Edet Effiong (Sly)—have all earned their places in the race. But the weight of history and the winds of change demand more than credentials; they demand clarity of vision, boldness of action, and depth of commitment.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council stands on the brink of a new chapter—one that must be written with truth, justice, innovation, and solidarity.
The Union is watching. The public is watching. And history will not forget.
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