Senator Ekong Sampson Facilitates Training for Media Professionals...Set to Float Endowment Fund, Distribution Of Laptops For Members Of ESD Media Professionals...Bags Outstanding Public Service and Effective Representation Award

 

By Edet Okpo, PhD

 

The  Chairman, Senate  Committee On Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ekong Sampson, PhD,  has stated that he remains resolute, focused , and unwaveringly committed to  redeeming his campaign promises and changing the narratives of representation in  Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, noting that his commitment to effective representation is  driven by neccessity in the face of contemporary realities, his deep knowledge of history and the needs of the constituency, huge expectations of constituents on his shouuders, and his unflinching  determination to leave a legacy that shall outlive his tenure in the red chamber Of the National Assembly.

Senator Sampson made the declaration in his  remarks during the second batch of capacity-building training  programme  for selected Akwa Ibom Youths On ICT, Strategic Media Engagements and Sustainable Development in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, where over 100 media practitioners including practicing Journalists, publishers, Online bloggers, and other category of media workers drawn from the 12 local government areas that make up  Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals and beyond, held on Tuesday,  January 5, 2026, at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, IBB Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The event which was  organized by the Nigerian Press Council and facilitated by distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson PhD, with  the training Consultant, Tanjee Real Estate Developers and Properties Limited, Abuja, lẹd by Engr. Chidozie Okeke, had as its theme: "Building Capacity for  Selected Akwa Ibom Youth On ICT, Strategic  Media Engagements and Sustainable Development in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District", 

It would be recalled the latest training is one in the series of programmes put in place by the distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson PhD, under his sustainable, multi- faceted empowerment initiatives,  designed to impact constituents, enhance the growth and development of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. 

According to Senator Sampson,  "I stand for ideas. I stand for values. I stand for innovations. I stand for projects, empowerment and  development. My belief is that good ideas must drive policies. This training is not starting today. It comes in series, but this is the second batch Of the training and others shall follow at chosen times within the year. To be a good Journalist in contempory times, you must be well-equiped with modern skills to function maximally. This is what I owe media workers in  Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District. The training for Media Professionals and in other vocations who are not opportuned to be captured in this Series will be carried along in  subsequent series. 

Himself a Journalist, the Senator challenged Media Professionals his senatorial district to fully explore their potentials and step into the political arena to share maximally in nation-building at State and national levels, also assured Journalists and participants at the training that he will continue to support and build capacity by providing incentives through robust interface and effective representation. He maintained that no amount of falsehood by left-wing  media in conspiracy with political opponents will stop him from following his philosophy in public Service, approach to empowerment programs and impact On his  Constituents.

"It is better for my works to speak for me. I can tell you that I never knew 98 per cent of the students and others who have benefitted from my 100 Million Naira Education Grant and  empowerment programmes. I don't need to know you before you benefit from me. We must appreciate our diversities. I am an intellectual in politics, driven by value rather than by fleeting appeasements. In the course of the year, I am planning to establish an Endowment  Fund for Journalists in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, empower them with training gadgets including labtops to further boost Professionalism and higher productivity".

Highlighting the objectives,  expectations and impact of Senator Ekong Sampson's capacity building initiatives on the media Community in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, the Chairman,  Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals, Elder Dr. Edet Okpo, thanked and commended  Senator for his intellectual acumen, deep grasp of legislative jurisprudence,  selflessness and commitment to not just sharpening the professional capacity of constituents, but also his high quality bills,  motions and oversight assignments in the National Assembly which have made him an incontestable reference point in quality representation and impact in governance..

"On behalf of the Executive Members, Board of Trustees and the entire Members of  Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals,  I express my heartfelt gratitude to our strong pillar of support, distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson for facilitating this training program for Media Professionals in his Senatorial District. Senator Ekong Sampson, a man of character and tested integrity,  a man with towering and unquestionable democratic credentials and unblemished record of dedicated and result - oriented public Service,  has remained infectiously charismatic, amazingly peaceful, phenomenally accomodating and unwaveringly committed to sincere service to humanity.

" For me, the  topic for this training was deliberately chosen to consolidate our pursuit of excellence in media practice, streamline our skill-sets with contemporary realities, reflecting our mandate of  monitoring , assessing, documenting and promoting transparency, accountability and impact in representation and governance.. I must State here that facilitating this capacity-building is a testament to your patriotic commitment to the growth of our profession, the development of our community, and your benevolence and not being selfish with the dividends of democracy.

As megaphone for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, We allign with the recent resolution of stakeholders from Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial to end single tenure or replacement option and Why priority must be given to experience, competence and performance for Senatorial Seat in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.  Our hope is that  decision will record massive and quality developments in all the 12 local government areas in our Senatorial District.

According to Dr. Edet Okpo, Senator Ekong Sampson's outlook to service is not about noise- making  which is common  in our society,  but impact . Hẹ added that Senator Ekong Sampson has upped the ante Of performance in representation and legislative engagements..

Hẹ advised Politicians from Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District to refrain from inciting the public against public office holders through the use Of sensational commentaries and rhetoric in Social media, especially as wẹ approach election Season. 

 

On  hand to marshall the subtexts of the symposium were  celebrated academics and Communication Scholar from the University of Uyo, led by Professor Peter Esuh, Professor of  Marketing Communications, Corporate Communications, Applied Rhetoric and Semiotics & Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, who was also the Keynote Speaker. Others were Prof. Herbert Batta, Head of Department, Information and Media Studies,  University of Uyo as Lead Presenter; a renowned Broadcast Journalist,  Public Relations Expert and Senior Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso; and Dr. (Mrs) Idongesit  Ashameri,  a seasoned Advertising and Public Relations Consultant.

   

Earlier in his keynote address, Prof. Peter Esuh argued that democracy can only thrive meaningfully when it is targeted at the people and development of societies, hence,  the need for representatives to have clear-cut programmes for impact on constituents and development of the Constituency. Prof. Esuh who is an  advocate, commentator, and highly respected  Scholar and stakeholder in Eket Senatorial District politics stated:

"Democracy thrives not merely on elections, but continuos representation, accountability and citizen participation. At the core of this democratic architecture stands the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the institution constitionally mandated to represent the collective interests of the federating units. Representation can only be meaningful when it is visible and responsible. This is where strategic media engagement becomes indispensable.

"The challenge is not only to legislate but to communicate legislation effectively and oversight of constituency engagements. Strategic media engagement therefore is one that informs constituents about bills, motions, community work and development interventions, while also giving feedback from the people.  Without this interface, representation risks becoming distant and abstract. On the other hand, Journalists must step into the political arena to influence ideas and policies. As a Journalist, we the stakeholders of Eket Senatorial District say that Senator Ekong Sampson has done well. Anybody who says otherwise is lying. Representation is seeing your rep, listening to him, and what he offers. What he is currently doing is empowerment and training and making sure beneficiaries of this training stand on their own".

Besides the training, record shows that Ekong Sampson PhD,  has sponsored quality bills,  moved public - interest motions, and actively participated in oversight functions in the Senate that have shaped national policies, impact individuals, institutions and communities in  Akwa Ibom South senatorial district. Amongst these are a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Medical Sciences, Eket,  A bill for Federal Medical Centres Amendment Act,  and co-sponsored a bill for the establishment of South South Development Commission, in addition to vociferous calls for the reactivation of the moribund ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, and speedy take off of the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron. Recently, the Senator disbursed 100 Million Naira Education Grant to 500 Indigent students  and some teachers from the Senatorial District, 

massive empowerment and training Programmes, employment Of over 40 Constituents in Federal MDAs, donation Of more than 250 Millions Naira, Cars, Motorcycles and business Grants to Constituents and All Progressive Congress Party Structure in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District and the physically challenged.

Others include but not limited to ongoing erosion control Project in Ekeya,Okobo, provision Of electrification  Project with 500KVA transformer in Ikot Akpandem, Okon Eket, Eyobiasang in Urue Offong Oruko,  Solar -powered  boreholes and lighting in  Several Communities,  Construction Of ICT/Computer- based Test Centres at Excellence College, Mkpat Enin, St. Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, Eket and St. Vincen Secondary School,Oti Oro in Okobo Local Government Area, Construction Of Staff quarters and hostel at Excellence College,  School block at Federal University Of Technology,Ikot Abasi, Construction Of Medical facilities in Immanuel Hospiral, Eket, General Hospital Ikot Abasi and General Hospital, Iquita in Oron Local Government Area, among others. 

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John; three former chairmen of the Union, namely Comrade Sunday Antai; Elder Patrick Albert; and immediate past chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Media, as well as Barr. Ini Ikott, Chairman, Senator  Ekong Sampson's Empowerment  Committee,  commended the Senator for what they described as " a paradigm shift in the history of representation in  Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District".

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of "Outstanding Public Service and Effective Representation Award" to distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson by the leadership Of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals. There was also  presentation  of Certificate of Participation  to participants who also returned home with encouraging financial support.