By Ubong Inyang
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, South-South Zone F, has commended the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, for maintaining a cordial relationship with journalists and promoting press freedom in the state.
The Union also praised the police commissioner for what it described as professional policing excellence in protecting the rights and privileges of journalists in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
The commendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the NUJ South-South (Zone F) Zonal Executive Council meeting held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Zonal Executive Council, after extensive deliberations on issues affecting journalism, security and development in the region, described the relationship between the Akwa Ibom Police Command and the media as worthy of commendation.
The Council noted that the Commissioner’s disposition towards journalists had contributed to a conducive environment for the media to operate and carry out its watchdog role effectively.
It therefore urged other Police Commands across the South-South region to emulate the Akwa Ibom Command by maintaining professional relationships with journalists and respecting the rights and privileges of media practitioners.
The NUJ body stressed the importance of collaboration between the police and the media in promoting public safety, accountability, press freedom and responsible journalism.
The ZEC also commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for initiating and effectively implementing its Health Insurance Scheme, noting that journalists in the state had benefited from the programme.
The meeting further commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for completing the Victor Attah International Airport and making it operational through the commencement of direct flight operations from Uyo to Ghana.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council and Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Comrade Nsibiet John; Acting Secretary of the NUJ Bayelsa State Council and Secretary of the Committee, Comrade Aqua Douye Akpuruku; Zonal Secretary, NUJ South-South (Zone F), Comrade Angese John, PhD; and Vice President, NUJ South-South (Zone F), Comrade Opaka Dokubo.