By Florence Oluohu
Veterans of the journalism profession in Cross River have thrown their weight behind one of their own, Mr Lawrence Mpama, on the recent birth of his new tabloid, Cross Atlantic, with a charge to practice developmental and solution journalism, a build-on to the core traditional reportorial style.
At the NUJ Press Centre venue of the public presentation, former head of Service in the state, Mr Ogbang Akwaji, lauded the publisher for adding value to the journalism profession, noting that by this act, a new chapel would invariably be added to the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalism in no distant time.
According to him, it is heartwarming that the profession does not reckon with retirement and can thus afford those who have retired from practice on account of age or years of service, to continue doing what they know how to do best.
He advised Mpama to publish what can stand the test of time, while being thorough enough to plead justification and earn respect over time.
Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River Governor, Mr Nsa Gill, applauded the new birth and assured of the administration of Prince Bassey Otu’s determination to partner with the media and other developmental ventures in its People First policy.
He implored the publisher and his team not to be caught up in social media hype and frenzy, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining an online presence to expand the paper’s visibility.
“The effort to bolster community newspapers is still relevant and I am pleased that experienced journalists are the ones managing the publications in Cross River, reflecting both expertise and professionalism,” assuring that “Our office will consistently advocate for the governor’s support of local media.”
Others who chipped in one piece of advice or the other include the publisher of Glimmer Newspaper, Mr Charles Eniang; publisher of Pillar Today, Mr Anietie Ben; former General Manger, Cross River Newspaper Corporation, Mr Emma Akpong; General Manager, Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Sam Nsor; the publisher of The Median newspaper, Mr James Ebri, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mr Sam Egbala.
Earlier, Mpama, formerly of Watchman magazine, had intimated that “Cross Atlantic is a child of necessity. Every initiative has its time, and leaving Watchman did not translate to abandoning the essence of journalism. This newspaper is a well-conceived project, and I am thrilled to witness its launch as a strong and dynamic entity.”
On her part, the first female chairman of NUJ in Cross River, Comrade Archibong Bassey, praised the publisher for enhancing journalism in the region and expressed gratitude to God that it was during her tenure that “Cross Atlantic” was birthed after so many years of not witnessing such.
Messages of goodwill from other veteran journalists followed, all vowing to support the newspaper’s success and growth.
The public presentation of the newspaper was witnessed by a cross section of senior journalists, including former Secretary of Council, Vitalis Ugoh; Ubon Ekanem of Forefront newspaper; Editor-in-Chief of Chronicle newspapers, Florence Oluohu; Victor Okon, publisher of Community Splash; Editor of Cross Atlantic, Mr Patrick Idung; and several others.
Florence Oluohu is the first female Editor in Chief of Nigerian Chronicle.
