An acting General Manager (GM) has been appointed for Abia Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, Umuahia, by Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.
His name is Chief Jones Nnanna Ike.
Chief Ike is a notable journalist and has worked in several newspapers, including Leadership newspapers and others.
He was one time, Executive Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Commissioner Designate on Information and Communication Strategy, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this when he held an interactive meeting with the Management and staff of Abia Newspapers today.
Ag GM, National Ambassador Jones Ike, (left) Commissioner Designate on Information, Prince Okey Kanu (Middle) and Acting Perm Sec, Ministry of Information, Mr Sunny Kanu.
Prince Kanu used the occasion to announce that an piece of land belonging to the State Newspaper that has been acquired by any one would be recovered, forthwith.
He enjoined the workforce of the State Newspaper to cooperate with the New Acting General Manager in order to revive the State Newspaper and make it a force to reckon with in the newspaper industry in our country.
The announcement elicited wide jubilation from the workforce of Abia Newspapers.
Recall that power tussle has been rocking the fortunes of National Ambassador newspaper since the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, directed Heads of Parastatals to hand over to the Most Senior Civil Servant in their establishments.
Prince Kanu further cautioned that staff ought to be more interested in ways to take the corporation to an enviable height as well as bring ideas on how to create IGRs for the state ,as the administration of Governor Alex Otti is aimed at thriving transparency.
He added that the Governor , who is media friendly, is aware of the plight of the corporation which made him opt for a renowned media guru to act as the General Manager in order to ensure that the corporation becomes a good media outfit.
In his response, the the newly appointed Acting GM , Hon. Chief Jones Nnanna Ike, appreciated the Governor of Abia for the great opportunity given to him to serve the state through his new position ,while promising to discharge his duties efficiently.
He further commended Dr Alex Otti for nominating a Commissioner who shares same vision and mission with him in Abia State, while promising to align towards its realization.
Hon. Ike assured that a viable and profit oriented media platform will be established, reminding all that the present administration, with the help of the goal oriented Commissioner will ensure that the working environment becomes conducive, adding that the Governor is not going to witch hunt anyone who discharges his or her duties in Abia Newspaper.
In their different contributions on how to better the current situation of the corporation, the staff and management of ANPC, pleaded that a relaunch of the Newspaper and provision of needed equipment will help in bringing the corporation to lime light.
Other challenges being faced by the corporation listed by the staff and Management include : provision of printing machines, printers, computer sets, laptops, generating sets lack of power supply, lack of patronage from the government, which could come inform of advertising placement; infrastructural decay, among others.
The management assured that if all equipment needed to run the newspaper house are provided, the corporation would be able to improve their content ,circulation , not just for the media outfit also for others , boost the State’s IGR, and serve the government and people of Abia State effectively.
In his remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Information, Mr Sunny Kalu, commended all for their contributions while assuring that the Acting General manager will effect the positive changes needed to move ANPC to an enviable height.
Present during the visit include; the State Director of Information, Comrade John Emejor, the Editor, ANPC, Bro. Kingsley Ugorji, HOD commercial, Mary Ehumadu, the Ag. HOD administration, Nkiru Okoronye, among others.
