Uyo Senatorial District Media Forum Elects New Executive Officers

The Uyo Senatorial District Media Professionals Forum (USDMPF) has elected a new team of executive officers to pilot the affairs of the organisation and strengthen professional collaboration among media practitioners across the district.

The election was announced by the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of the Forum following its 35th Enlarged Meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The development followed the expiration of the tenure of the previous executive officers.

According to the Board, the new leadership is expected to promote effective administration, professional coordination, unity and the collective interests of media practitioners within the Uyo Senatorial District.

Clement Warrie Emerges President

Mr Clement Warrie emerged as the President of the Forum, while Mr Charles Akpan was elected Vice President for Uyo Federal Constituency and Deputy President.

Other vice presidents are Mr Edet Ikotidem, representing Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency, and Mr Edidiong Ita, representing Etinan Federal Constituency.

Hon. Itorobong Umoh was elected Secretary, with Itoro-Etas Iniobong serving as Assistant Secretary.

The new financial team comprises Mr Ukara Effiong as Treasurer and Mr Victor Preacher as Financial Secretary.

Mr Ubon Marcus emerged as Spokesperson, while Mr Victor Ukpong was elected Director of Contact and Mobilization.

New Leadership Structure

The Forum also announced officers to oversee different areas of its operations.

Saviour Umana was elected Deputy Director of Internal Mobilization, while Comrade Samuel Basse will serve as Deputy Director of External Relations and Outreach.

In the area of information technology, Mr Destiny Young emerged Director of ICT, with Mr Aniekeme John and Mr Iberedem Peter serving as Deputy Directors of ICT and Graphics Design respectively.

Mr Richard Okon was elected Director of New Media, while Kingsley Edet became Deputy Director of New Media. Anamati Inyang was elected Director of Content.

The Forum also appointed Comrade Henshaw Nyong as Director of Ethics and Professional Standards and Mr Godwin Edet as Director of Programmes, with Iniobong Samuel Iwaudofia as Deputy Director of Programmes.

Directors for Media and Professional Activities

The new executive structure includes officers responsible for the different arms of the media industry.

Mr Etebong Akpan was elected Director of Print Media, with Comrade Uwem Ekoh as Deputy Director.

Comrade Courage Mbon emerged Director of Electronic Media, while Stephen Uwah was elected Deputy Director.

Mr Goodwealth Bassey was elected Director of Visuals, with Idorenyin Inyang as Deputy Director.

The Forum also elected Mr Cavil Uduak Inwang as Director of Research and Analytics, with Mr Iniobong Ituen as Deputy Director.

Mr Linus Effiong will serve as Director of Strategy and Secretariat Support, while Mr Ephraim Ikpe was elected an Ex-Officio member.

Forum Begins New Chapter

The election follows a broader repositioning of the organisation, which has adopted the name Uyo Senatorial District Media Professionals Forum.

The organisation was established in 2019 as the Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners’ Forum before its activities slowed after an earlier period of engagement. The renewed structure is intended to expand membership beyond traditional journalism to include broadcasters, editors, publishers, photographers, bloggers, influencers, content creators, public relations professionals and other practitioners within the wider media ecosystem.

The repositioning is aimed at creating a stronger professional network through collaboration, capacity development, advocacy and knowledge sharing.

The Forum said the expanded membership structure would provide a platform for media professionals to exchange ideas, strengthen professional relationships and contribute to conversations about development within the Uyo Senatorial District.

Board Charges New Officers

The Board of Trustees and Governing Council charged the newly elected officers to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the Forum’s constitution, policies and decisions.

The Board urged the new executives to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, commitment and discipline while working to protect the collective interests of members.

Members of the Forum were also encouraged to support the new leadership to enable it to effectively implement its programmes and fulfil its mandate.

The new executives are expected to assume their respective responsibilities immediately.

Their tenure comes at a time when the media industry is undergoing significant changes driven by digital platforms, social media, citizen journalism and the growing importance of multimedia content.

The Forum’s new structure therefore places emphasis not only on traditional journalism but also on digital media, content creation, research, technology, professional ethics and strategic communication.

Expectations From the New Executive

The emergence of the new leadership is expected to usher in a new phase for media professionals across the Uyo Senatorial District.

Among the key expectations are stronger professional networking, capacity-building opportunities, improved collaboration across media platforms and greater attention to ethical standards.

The Forum is also expected to provide a platform through which practitioners can collectively engage issues affecting the media profession and the communities they serve.

With Clement Warrie leading the new executive team, attention will now shift to the implementation of the Forum’s programmes and the extent to which the new leadership can unite practitioners across the various constituencies.

The Board of Trustees has expressed confidence in the new officers and called on members to cooperate with them as they begin their tenure.

The election ultimately marks a renewed effort to build a more organised and inclusive professional media community within the Uyo Senatorial District, bringing together practitioners from print, broadcast, digital, visual and other emerging areas of the media industry.

This report is based on information released by the Board of Trustees/Governing Council of the Uyo Senatorial District Media Professionals Forum and publicly reported details of the election.