By Asuquo Cletus
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, Archibong Bassey, has hailed the feat of Emmanuel Onwuka, publisher of Parallel News, who recently emerged winner of the ECOWAS Award for Media Excellence, clinching the first prize in the online journalism category.
Bassey, who received Onwuka at the NUJ secretariat in Calabar on Monday, when the award was formally presented, described the victory as a “huge” achievement that has brought pride to journalists in the state.
“Thank you, Emmanuel, for making NUJ Cross River State Council proud. This is huge, and I want to encourage us to borrow a leaf from Emmanuel take that step, take that risk. If it doesn’t work, at least you’ve tried, and it won’t hurt that you tried. You’ll never know what will come out of it,” She said.
The NUJ chairman, while congratulating the laureate, prayed for more opportunities for journalists in the state to attain higher heights and record more landmark achievements.
Onwuka, who is also a Mandela Washington Fellow, expressed gratitude to the NUJ Cross River Council for its guidance and support over the years. He urged journalists in the state to seek out and apply for opportunities, stressing that Cross River has many untold stories waiting to be uncovered.
“I want to thank the NUJ for leading me. I encourage my colleagues to look for and seize opportunities because our state is rich with stories that the world needs to hear,” he said.
The ECOWAS Media Excellence Award recognises outstanding reporting that promotes regional integration, peace, and development within West Africa.
