A university don, Prof. Charles Obot, has advocated the appointment of journalists to head the ministries of information not only in Akwa Ibom State but in other states of the federation, saying it would be a win-win situation both for the appointee and the appointing authority.
Speaking against the background of the recent dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council with Governor Umo Eno expected to submit the list of commissioner-designate to the state assembly, Prof. Obot, who teaches broadcast journalism at the University of Uyo, said appointing a seasoned journalist as commissioner for information is just the appropriate thing to do.
“I believe that it is important for a seasoned journalist to be appointed, not only in Akwa Ibom State but in other states of the federation. It is the right thing to do.
Prof. Obot, who had practised journalism with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before joining the University of Uyo, said appointing a journalist to head the Ministry of Information would earn the commissioner much credibility and goodwill from his constituents.
“He would bring to the table the constituencies that had earned him credibility and it will not take long for him to earn the goodwill and confidence of the people.
‘’It would make the job much easier, it would eliminate apprehension, and the government would achieve more in terms of awareness and acceptability of programs and policies when a journalist is appointed to head the ministry information,’’ he said.
There is an increased agitation for the governor to appoint a journalist as commissioner for information for the first time since 1999 following the dissolution of the State Executive Council.
