EKET MEDIA PROFESSIONALS EQUIPPED TO DRIVE REPORTAGE ON SOLID MINERALS, BLUE ECONOMY AS SENATOR EKONG SAMPSON PARTNERS SMDF, NIMASA ON HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING

 

By Edet Okpo, PhD

For decades, the narrative of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District has been one of resource wealth without commensurate development. Beneath its soil lie untapped deposits of clay, kaolin, limestone, silica sand and granite. Along its 129km coastline stretch waters rich in fisheries, maritime transport potential and emerging opportunities in the blue economy. Yet, the story has largely been one of extraction without inclusion, of potential without coordinated reporting and policy engagement.

That narrative took a deliberate turn on the day the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Abuja, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) partnered with the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals to convene a high-level symposium at Nissi Hall, Eden Hotels Limited, Eket, Akwa Ibom State On Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The gathering, themed:“Harnessing Akwa Ibom South’s Natural Resources: The Role of Media Professionals,” marked the third capacity-building programme organised by the Association Of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals and facilitated by distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson, PhD.

 It was both a training platform and a policy convening, bringing together journalists, scholars, regulators, traditional rulers and civil society actors to reframe how the district’s resources are reported, understood and managed.

Opening the symposium,  Prof Herbert Batta, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, described the event as “a deliberate convening of minds” tasked with informing, scrutinizing and shaping policy. 

“Harnessing resources responsibly means aligning three pillars: media professionals, key stakeholders, and the availability and presentation of accurate information to drive policymaking,” he said.

Elder Dr. Edet Okpo,  Chairman of the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, set the tone for the association’s renewed commitment. “Akwa Ibom South is endowed with more than political significance. Our land holds solid minerals, our coastline opens to the Atlantic, and our people possess the knowledge and enterprise to convert these assets to prosperity. Yet, for too long, the story of our resources has been that of extraction without inclusion. This Association cannot afford to be passive observers,” he stated.

Hẹ thanked Distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson, the Management Of Solid Minerals Development Fund ( SMDF), Abuja and Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency ( NIMASA) for sponsoring the Symposium.

He solicited a more robust collaboration and mutually-beneficial partnership between federal and State Government Agencies for enhanced capacity building programmes.

The technical sessions were anchored by scholars with deep expertise in communication, law, geology, blue economy and maritime studies.

Digital Media and Cyber-bullying: Analysing the Legal Framework by Prof  Peter Esuh, Professor of Corporate Communication at the University of Uyo, warned that digital platforms operate as a double-edged sword. He defined cyberbullying as deliberate, repeated online conduct aimed at reputational damage, noting that many users remain unaware of its legal consequences. 

“Psychological, sociological, emotional and academic harms are real outcomes,” he said, recommending structured digital literacy training for media professionals to keep pace with evolving online regulations.2. From Potential to Partnership: Unlocking Akwa Ibom’s Solid Minerals Through Investor Collaboration*  

Dr. Christopher Okon, a Public Relations and Marketing Communications Consultant, argued that the state’s overreliance on oil and gas had led to the neglect of its solid minerals ecosystem. 

“Apart from crude, Akwa Ibom is richly endowed with solid minerals that remain unharnessed. This sector can generate revenue comparable to oil and gas, create jobs and develop host communities if properly coordinated,” he said, calling for investor-friendly policies and transparent processes 3. Collaborative Mining for Shared Prosperity: Aligning Investors, Regulators, and Local Stakeholders by Prof. Nsikak Bassey, Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Director of Research and Innovations at AKSU, mapped mineral deposits across all 31 LGAs. He stressed that sustainable mining requires collaborative frameworks involving investors, regulators and host communities. 

“The media must move from speculation to facts-based, data-driven reporting that builds trust and accountability,” he noted. (4). Exploring the Blue Economy and Maritime Potentials of Akwa Ibom South by 

Prof. Ita Ewa-Oboho, Professor of Oceanography and Marine Environmental Studies at AKSU, defined the blue economy as the sustainable use of coastal and river resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and environmental protection. 

“Akwa Ibom will grow faster if ocean resources are deliberately harnessed and sustained. We need clear blueprints and models that outlast political cycles,” he said.

Technical moderation was provided by Prof Charles Obot -Vice Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, and Barr Sam Ukoima, Magistrate of the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary.

The symposium concluded with a communique outlining four key recommendations:(1.) Greater involvement of government and private investors in developing Akwa Ibom’s solid minerals sector.(2.) Transfer of solid minerals exploitation from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list to give states more regulatory latitude(3.)Establishment of an Akwa Ibom State Solid Minerals Investment Agency (4. )Unbundling of the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport into a Ministry of Special Duties, Marine, and Blue Economy to reflect the state’s maritime realities.

These recommendations align with ongoing state projects, including the Ibom Deep Seaport and the Oron Marine Terminal, which are central to Gov. Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda blue economy strategy.

Addressing the participants at the Symposium, the Chairman, Senate Committee On Solid Minerals Development and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson, PhD,, who facilitated the symposium, used the platform to reaffirm his commitment to linking the association with national institutions and investors for enhanced capacity building and Spotlighting of Solid Minerals endowments and other Natural Resources within the Senatorial District.

"Media professionals are social engineers and  effective tools in agenda-setting, gatekeeping, governance and nation-building. But this requires truthful reporting, constructive criticisms  and professional conduct,” he said.

Speaking On his representation in the National Assembly, Senator Sampson said he has upped the ante Of performance in legislative business in the Senatorial District, evidenced in   execution of quality infrastructural Projects across the 12 local government areas Of the Senatorial District, prioritisation Of education, healthcare Services, disbursement Of 100 Million Naira education grant to 500 students, distribution of about 15 exotic cars to constituents, facilitation of employment in federal MDAs and Corporate institutions to about 55 Constituents, Human Empowerment and capacity building programmes as well as Sponsorship Of People -centric bills and motions.

Following his emergence as the APC senatorial candidate for a second term, he pledged that the next phase of representation would surpass his first-term record. He urged the media to support both President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswil Akpabio and Gov. Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.

Goodwill messages from Elder Paul Bassey, Hon. Commissioner for Sports; Rt. Họn.  Uno Etim Uno,  Chairman of Urueffong Oruko LGA; and  Dr. Essien Ndueso,  Senior Special Assistant  to the Governor on Research and Documentation, reinforced the state government’s commitment to the blue economy and solid minerals development. Members of the association passed a vote of confidence on Senator Sampson and presented a seal of endorsement for his continuity in the Nigerian Senate till 2031.

The symposium reflects a growing recognition that resource wealth alone does not translate to development. Without informed reporting, regulatory clarity and community inclusion, the cycle of extraction without benefit continues. 

For Akwa Ibom South, the convergence of SMDF, NIMASA, academia and media professionals signals a shift toward coordinated action. If the resolutions are followed through, the district stands to gain not only revenue and jobs, but a stronger voice in determining how its resources shape its future.

Since 2023, distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson has consistently leveraged legislative and stakeholder networks to host similar engagements, positioning the district to engage more competitively in Nigeria’s emerging solid minerals and blue economy sectors.

Also honoured were: Dr. Mrs Eunice Thomas, former Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission,Abuja and APC Flag-bearer for the 2027 National Assembly elections for Eket/Esit Eket) Onna/ Ibeno federal constituency, House of Representatives, Abuja,  Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey - Chairman, House Committee On Environment and Member representing Okobo State Constituency in Assembly State House of Assembly, Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Họn. Ubuo Ubuo, Executive Chairman of Urueoffong &Oruko LGA,  Rt Uno Etim Uno and the Executive Director of Projects, NDDC, Rt.  Hon. Sir. Victor Antai,PhD.