FUTIA VICE CHANCELLOR, MEDIA PROFESSIONALS SCORE SENATOR EKONG SAMPSON HIGH ON EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION, INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, INFRASTRUCTURE, HUMAN EMPOWERMENT AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

 

By Edet Okpo, PhD.

The  commendation by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Prof. Leo Daniel, that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and  Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson PhD, remains the only government official and stakeholder from  Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District in general, outside Senator Udoma Udoudoma, that has shown practical interest in the development of a Technology -driven University and contributed  significantly to the infrastructural development of the institution.

The Vice Chancellor made the commendation when the Chairman,  Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals,  Elder Edet Okpo, PhD led Members of the Association and some correspondents of state-based and national newspapers to inspect facilities in the institution on Thursday, January 15, 2026, to climax a one Day Seminar on Turning Media Skills into Profitable income Generating Business. 

He hinted that apart from infrastructure, Senator Ekong Sampson has sponsored a bill for the establishment of the University and awarded Education Grants to students of the University who are from Akwa Ibom South (Eket)  Senatorial District. 

According to the Vice  Chancellor, the  commendation was no exaggeration as facts on ground are evidence beyond doubt. "Let me also appreciate the Management of TETFUND  for their huge investment in the permanent site of our University. I am using this opportunity to call on Akwa Ibom State Government, other stakeholders of  Eket Senatorial District,  well placed individuals, multi- nationals and other corporate organisations to show interest in the development of the Federal University of Technology, located in Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District. 

Impacting positively on constituents and Senatorial District have been Senator Ekong Sampson's major preoccupation from the first  day he stepped into the National Assembly on June 13, 2023. Barely a week after sponsoring a massive capacity-building workshop organized by the Nigerian Press Council for Media Professionals in Eket Senatorial District, where over 100 media professionals benefited, the Senator, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, once again, co-sponsored another batch of training programme for the same group under the aegis of Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, to sharpen their skills for enhanced productivity.

The event, which had as much number of participants like the penultimate, was  a one-day seminar on the topic: “Turning Media Skills into Profitable Income-Generating Businesses”, but this  time it was organized by the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals. 

The Senator's commitment to this exercise, which has been in series since 2024,  has been widely commended by stakeholders and the generality of members of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) in past two and a half years, something that constituents hitherto only heard of in other states and Senatorial districts

It would be recalled that at the last workshop on the "ICT, Strategic Media Engagements and Sustainable Development in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District", 

participants returned home loaded with fresh knowledge of contemporary trends and practices carefully dished out by renowned communication scholars from the University of Uyo, namely, Professor Peter Esuh, Dean Faculty of Communication and Media Studies and Professor Herbert Batta. Present also as  Resource persons were Ace broadcast Journalist , PR Expert and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State On Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso and Dr.  Idongesit Ashameri, Advertising and PR Consultant 

Earlier in his welcome speech at the workshop, held at Eden Hotels Limited, Eket, the 

the Chairman,  Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Elder Edet Okpo, PhD, said members were short of words on how exactly to capture Senator Ekong Sampson's sustained focus, remarkable generosity, and unwavering commitment towards improving the socio-economic fortunes of his Constituents and the Senatorial District.

On the essence of the  

training, Dr. Okpo stated: 

"In today's digital age, media professionals have a unique opportunity to leverage their skills to create sustainable income streams. Tech writing and blogging have emerged as viable paths to financial independence, offering avenues for freelance writing, content creation, and sponsored content. As media practitioners, it is imperative we stay updated with digital tools and trends to remain relevant in the competitive global media arena. An entrepreneurial mindset, focusing on creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. This will enable us to thrive excellently in the challenging media landscape. The Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals  organized this event to equip us with the necessary Skills and knowledge. Let us therefore seize this opportunity to enhance our capabilities and turn our media skills into profitable ventures.

Speaking  of Senator Ekong Sampson's effective and result- oriented representation as well as robust legislative engagements in the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Edet Okpo further stated: 

"Let me on behalf of the Board Of Trustees, Executive Council and the entire Members of the Association of Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals, seize this opportunity to commend our Patron who is the Chairman, Senate Committee On Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Abuja, Distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson PhD, for Co-Sponsoring this Seminar, after recent efforts in facilitating training by The Nigerian Press Council for Media Professionals and  Akwa Ibom Youths.

"Furthermore, let me also officially  express our deep satisfaction for Senator Ekong Sampson's Impactful representation in the National Assembly and for raising the bar in performance in the core mandate of lawmaking, Oversight and representation. Through sound  advocacies and active contributions on the floor of the Senate on sundry critical issues, especially those bothering on  maritime and coastal economy, environmental protection, youth empowerment and industrial reactivation, Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District today is loudly heard and given attention because We do not have a shadow senator but a parliamentarian with substance and impact". Okpo equally  expressed gratitude to Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Mkpisong Frank Archibong, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, for always supporting every worthwhile initiative of the Association. 

On hand to dissect the theme and the sub- theme of the workshop were  renowned ICT and Tech Writing Consultants: Ms, Emediong  Edem Eduongo, Founder of the Hustle Space and  Elder Peter Etukudoh, MD/CEO of Kreativity Ventures. It was an assemblage of media practitioners, Communication students from different tertiary institutions , and stakeholders to benefit from practical  knowledge transfer on contemporary trends, media skills targeted at potentially creating multiple streams of income, as participants were encouraged and equipped to approach media practice with  entrepreneurial mindset. To do do, there must strive to be creative, innovative, strategic, adaptable, and dynamic with a view to expanding their coast of knowledge and professional practice and seizing opportunities to do things differently. 

Attendees were guided to audit their professional experience, identify problems they have solved, and package their credibility into paid services such as writing, editing, consulting, and media support. Emphasis was placed on pricing services appropriately, structuring simple business offerings, delegating tasks for growth, and actively marketing within and beyond existing networks. 

At the end of the highly engaging and interactive intellectual banquet that was more of praxis than theoretics, there was no doubt that knowledge of participants on Tech Writing , Blogging and dynamism in the use  of modern tools towards Financial independence and ability to turn Media skills into income- generating ventures were considerably broadened. 

Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of the session and, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Essien Ndueso, posited that media practice has evolved into a viable revenue-generating investment, hence, no serious Journalist should be left behind in the evolution. He argued that there were opportunities for income-making in every and any conventional media engagement, but everything boils down to self-belief, versatility, adaptability and competence. He therefore thanked and commended the Association’s Chairman, Elder (Comrade) Edet Okpo, Ph.D., for his infectious vision, unrelenting creativity,  commitment and selflessness in always going the extra mile to create something out of nothing for the collective and altruistic good of members.

Dr. Ndueso poured encomiums on Senator Ekong Sampson for being a history-maker, game-changer and Promise-keeper by his people-conscious representation.  Goodwill messages were given by former NUJ  National Vice Chairman, Zone F, Dr. Sunday Antai, and BOT member of the Association, Comrade Florence Umoetuk, both  thanked the leadership of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals for organising the event and challenged members to take full advantage of Senator Ekong Sampson's largeheatedness and dedication to capacity building for constituents. 

It must be recalled that the Senator has also promised to institute a Trust Fund for Media Practitioners from the Senatorial District. Recently, he disbursed N100 million Naira  Education Grant for 500 indigent Students  and selected  teachers. 

Because the evidence is visible for all to see and the impact keeps growing and spreading, it is  therefore not  surprising that Senator Ekong Sampson has become a cynosure and hallmark of effective representation in national commentaries. This dedication, this spectacular performance, deserves commendation and encouragement, for more to come.