11/12/2022
THE TRAIN OF COLLABORATION IS MOVING FOR NUJ POLITICAL COMMITTEE
Today the NUJ Political Committee tasked with the responsibility of organising the 2023 Akwa Ibom Governorship Debate was given the rare privilege to address the CWC and Parliament of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio at its National Headquarters in Uyo in our bid to seek partnership.
Below is the full text of the address !!!!!!
ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF NUJ POLITICAL COMMITTEE, COMRADE ANIEKAN UDOFIA AT THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE, CWC AND PARLIAMENT OF MBOHO MKPARAWA IBIBIO ON SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER, 2023
Protocol
I consider this a rare privilege to stand before this noble house of a prestigious organization like Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio. As a proud son of IBIBIO land I look with pride, the honour given to the Political Committee of the NUJ by your noble organization.
Our task is simple though herculean in a way; Organize a Debate for those vying to govern our dear state Akwa Ibom from 29 May 2023.
As a committee we had set out to work . Let me say here that though the event is initiated by the NUJ Akwa Ibom State, we have carefully built what will in the history of debates in Nigeria be the biggest stakeholders collaboration. As we speak NLC , NULGE, NSE, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Yiaga Africa, Clement Isong Foundation, Foundation for Partnership in Niger Delta, Pind, Youth Alive Foundation, NBA, NMA, Franklyn Ever Bright Farms Limited, AKISAN USA, Ibom People's Forum USA and still counting have signed up or pledged to sign up as partners to the debate in different ways.
To ensure the integrity and reputation of these partners are not marred or dragged to disrepute, this NUJ Committee has made it as a matter of principle not to accept any financial donation from the Governorship Candidates nor Political Parties invited. I say this emphatically that no governorship candidate has given us a dime as contribution to Debate. We have relied on Partners for every fund needed for the debate.
WHAT KIND OF GOVERNORSHIP DEBATE DO WE INTEND TO ORGANISE ?
1. A Debate that will be fair, balanced, impartial objective and neutral
2. A debate not targeted at ridiculing any Governorship Candidates nor providing undue advantage for any candidate.
3. A debate that the questions will be the same for everyone and nothing personal but rather issues that will advance the collective growth and development of Akwa Ibom.
The audience at the debate will be drawn from representatives of partners and it will be an inactive audience that would not ask live questions . Every question will be submitted to the question bank before the day of the debate. Only the moderator(s) will ask the questions.
To allow Akwa Ibom people to hear from the Governorship Candidates, the debate will be broadcast live on 11 radio stations, 6 Television stations and streamed live on social media platforms. This is expected to reduce the pressure to be in- house guests.
The Debate will deploy a digital multi media screen to project partners and live appearances via zoom by relevant stakeholders.
Date of the debate: Sunday 29 January 2023.
Time: 4pm prompt
VENUE: Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.
All guests must be seated. Since it is an inactive audience we would not allow anyone into the hall once the door is shut at 4pm.
GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATES INVITED
Only 6 have been shortlisted for the debate.
The committee had written to all 18 political parties and none of the other 12 not shortlisted for the debate responded to our letter of request to participate in the Governorship Debate.
By the date of the debate any candidate not legitimately recognized of the 6 will be dropped. So let me allay your fears, the committee would not act ultra vires( beyond our powers) or against the law. For now all 6 Candidates invited believe they are candidates.
ITEMS FOR THE DEBATE
1. The debate will have a programme printed in magazine form.
2. There will be a conference pack .
3. There will be a giant digital multi-media screen to form the backdrop and be deployed for media use.
TOTAL BUDGET SIZE
#19,400,000, the breakdown has been made in a letter given to the leadership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.
WHY DO WE SEEK YOUR COLLABORATION?
The significance and importance of IBIBIO as a nation cannot be overemphasized. Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio coming on board will give the debate credibility and deposit of your integrity capital.
We expect Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio to also own this debate as a project undertaken on behalf of AKWA IBOM people.
We also appeal that Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio support us in meeting some of the financial responsibilities of the Committee.
More importantly we desire the investment of your integrity capital to this committee and sign up to be a partner and endorse this debate.
As the Chairman of the Committee, you have my full assurance that I will never compromise this debate to bring disrepute to your hard earned reputation. I am a child that has been raised with contentment and respect for public thrust. This debate is not an avenue for me to enrich myself nor is it the same for members of the committee.
As you seek to make this partnership work, we would request that you send a nomination of one or two persons to join our planning committee so you can get constant updates from them and also see whatever resources you commit into the project utilized.
As I conclude, let me inform this noble gathering that on Thursday 15 December, 2022 this committee will be officially unveiling the logo for the 2023 Akwa Ibom Governorship Debate. It will be a big media event and a Press Conference. It is scheduled to hold at the NUJ Press Centre Information Drive, Uyo at 12pm local time. The International President of this organization will determine if I can say you are invited, if he says no that will stand, if he says yes, either way we thank him.
Let me again thank this noble house for this privilege.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.
NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council presents : 2023 Governorship Debate
