{"id":3890,"date":"2025-05-03T20:36:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T19:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pillartoday.ng\/?p=3890"},"modified":"2025-05-03T21:55:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T20:55:51","slug":"wpfd-journalists-paint-calabar-white-and-green-as-gill-decries-early-politicking-in-criver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"pillartoday.com.ng\/?p=3890","title":{"rendered":"WPFD: Journalists Paint Calabar White and Green, as Gill Decries Early Politicking in C\u2019River"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Nsa Gill (centre) with the CRS, NUJ Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey (left) and others during the flag off of the WPFD \u201cFreedom Walk\u201d on Saturday in Calabar.<\/em><\/p>\n

By Anietie Akpan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Journalists in Cross River State on Saturday, May 3, painted the streets of Calabar white and green as they commenced this year\u2019s 2025 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) with a \u201cFreedom Walk\u201d.<\/p>\n

The elated gentlemen of the press led by their indefatigable State Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, took off from the popular WAPI junction in Calabar Municipality immediately after the flag off by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Nsa Gill, at about 8am, went through Diamond Hill, Governor\u2019s Office, Metro Hotel by Murtala Mohammed highway, and the Millennium Square (11 11) by Calabar road before taking a long convoy of vehicles to the Mother Elizabeth Redeemed Orphanage home in Ambo and the Medium Security Correctional Centre (formerly Prisons) at Afokang in Calabar South Local Government Area (LGA).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Journalists marking the World Press Freedom Day on Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n

They danced for joy carrying different banners with music blaring away from a Toyota Hilux vehicle as the Walk progressed. This year\u2019s theme is ; \u201cReporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media\u201d.<\/p>\n

Some of the banners read: \u201cJournalism is not a crime protect Reporters; Nigeria Media deserves freedom not fear; Let Journalists breath, no to censorship; No true democracy without press freedom\u201d and others.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thereafter the gentlemen of the press were hosted by one of their own, Mr. Eyo Offiong, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Secondary Education Board,\u00a0in a popular sit out at Mayne Avenue, near Edgerly street where they chilled out with some refreshment.<\/p>\n

Speaking while flagging off the event, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor who also participated in the event, urged media professionals to resist early political distractions surrounding the 2027 elections.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gill emphasized that the administration of Governor Bassey Otu\u2019s current focus is on \u201cdelivering good governance and development for the people of Cross River State\u201d.<\/p>\n

He encouraged journalists to embrace the evolving tools of modern media, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), while maintaining the integrity of their craft.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gill who is the immediate past Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River State Council said, \u201cAI is here to assist, not replace journalists. It is unprofessional to copy and paste without due diligence. The values of accuracy and responsibility remain fundamental\u201d.<\/p>\n

On her part, the NUJ Chairman,\u00a0 Comrade Bassey, called on government at all levels to create a more enabling environment for journalism to thrive, warning against any attempt to gag the press or stifle democratic discourse.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Highlighting the crucial role of the media in democratic societies, Bassey stressed the need for mutual respect between the government and the press, asserting that \u201ca society that silences its media silences its conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs much as society needs the press to expose wrongdoing and uphold accountability, the press also needs the freedom to operate without fear, harassment, or undue influence,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

She urged journalists to remain focused on the truth, reminding them not to be swayed by prevailing political currents or societal distractions saying , \u201cNow more than ever, journalists must commit to truth-telling. We must not lose sight of the values that define our profession\u201d.<\/p>\n

As part of the WPFD celebrations, members of the NUJ embarked on a humanitarian outreach, visiting the Mother Elizabeth Redeemed Orphanage at Ambo and the Medium Security Correctional Centre in Afokang where they donated food items and toiletries, reinforcing the union\u2019s commitment to community service alongside press advocacy.<\/p>\n

In a goodwill message, the Cross River State Diaspora Commission (CRISDCOM), extended warm greetings and appreciation for the tireless efforts of journalists in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The message said, \u201cYour dedication to upholding the principles of press freedom is invaluable. You bring critical issues to light, amplify voices, and hold those in power accountable.<\/p>\n

CRIDCOM commended the commitment \u00a0of journalists \u201cto ethical journalism and your role in shaping public discourse. Your work enriches our democracy and contributes to the development of our great state.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn this special day, we celebrate your contributions and reaffirm our support for a free and independent press. Thank you for your service to Cross River State and the nation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Photos: \u00a0Courtesy Kingsley Agim.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Nsa Gill (centre) with the CRS, NUJ Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey (left) and others during the flag off of the WPFD \u201cFreedom Walk\u201d on Saturday in Calabar. By Anietie Akpan Journalists in Cross River State on Saturday, May 3, painted the streets of Calabar white and green […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3901,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3890"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3890\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}