The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Comrade Amos Etuk says it is important that citizens contribute to quality leadership of the State and Country as according to him, it is a tonic that will add value to development goals, policies and philosophies of Government.
The NUJ Chairman stated this when he served as a Discussant during the 2025 Public Policy Evaluation and Advocacy Forum organized by the Institute of Corporate Leadership and Mentorship held Tuesday in Uyo.
He maintained that it is a Civic responsibility for citizens to be involved in discussing policies of Government noting that the Government as a listening institution always have a way of getting feedbacks from Citizens. He said these feedbacks are then used positively by the Government to further plans for the State.
The NUJ Chairman who was represented by Chairman of Federated Chapel Comrade Nsibiet John observed that a lot of times Citizens sit back and blame Government often times on policies. But failed to make contributions in one way or the other. He noted that complains, gossiping and backbiting do not help. He encouraged Citizens to always at all times make their voices heard either through the media most especially as he said, the media is there to guide and execute information from every person irrespective of gender, ethnicity, political divide and religious calling.
In his keynote address the President of the Institute Apostle Comrade Emmanuel Eduongo viewed leadership as an act of inspiring, motivating and influencing others to act in a particular way and manner. He summarized the import of leadership management to include driving organizational Concepts, enhances employees engagement, satisfaction and productivity as well as fostering a culture of accountability.
Others who spoke at the event were Rev. Barr Clifford Thomas, Mr. Martins Umoh, Pastor Enefiok Peters, Rev. Dr. Hilkah Eliatha, Elder Anietie Atai, Engr. Bassey Nsentip and Ambassador Sampson Akpan.
They all maintained that there is a need for Citizens to participate actively in Policy discourse and implementation of Government policies. Discussants agree that the Government is the people and those in the leadership of the Government are only holding the key to our common patrimony and that they are answerable to citizens.