Journalism like two-edged sword – Churchill Udoh
An Akwa Ibom State-born businessman, Obong Churchill Udoh, has described journalism as a two-edged sword that can create war in peace time, and peace at war and crises season, depending on how it is deployed by its practitioners.
He said that his observation is borne out of the fact that journalists are in the business of information collection, analysis, and sharing that could build up or tear society apart.
For Udoh, journalism is not meant for the faint-hearted, urging its practitioners to pursue ethical practice and thereby remain the conscience and mirror of society at all times.
Udoh, who was speaking during the occasion of his investiture as a patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone F (South South), Saturday, 19 July, 2025, at the Akwa Ibom State NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, expressed appreciation for the honour done him, and pledged not to let the union down.
He paid tribute to veteran journalists Tony Enahoro, Messrs Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed for their contributions to the growth of journalism in the country as well as the socio-economic and political wellbeing of the country.
Churchill Udoh cautioned that if the country is to grow and develop, then journalists should ensure that they report truthfully, holistically and pursue justice for all.
Udoh also commended the governments of the South South for keeping peace in the region at a time when insecurity is ravaging virtually all sections of the country.
For the Zone F (South South) Vice President of the NUJ, Comrade Dokubo Opaka, who is the leader of the Zone, the conferment of the patronship of the zone on Obong Udoh was arrived at following a careful scrutiny of his pedigree, saying that no stakeholder raised objections against his nomination for the position.
He expressed the hope that Udoh will be a strong ally of the NUJ in the Zone and country as a consequence of his honour as patron of the Zone.
The special guest of honour of the event and Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, congratulated Obong Udoh on his award and called for synergy between government and the press.
He noted that by journalists and government working as partners, and not as rivals or enemies, growth and development of the people will be accelerated.
Presenting a solidarity message on the occasion, a former leader of the Zone, Dr Sunday Antai, called on journalists in the region to be united, especially given the awkward politico-environmental and socio-economic condition of the region.
He regretted that in spite of the South South being the backbone of the revenue muscle of the nation, it is not getting its deserved justice in the distribution of political and physical infrastructure by the Nigerian State.
He, therefore, urged his colleagues to work as a united front towards turning around the fortunes of their environmentally-abused region.
