Presidential visit: Security men bar journalists, opposition in A’ Ibom

It was gathered that the height of the embarrassment to both national and local journalists was at the gate of the state banquet hall where the leader of the presidential security team ordered his men to push journalists out of the way. Our correspondent reports that journalists who were accredited by the state Commissioner of […]

It was gathered that the height of the embarrassment to both national and local journalists was at the gate of the state banquet hall where the leader of the presidential security team ordered his men to push journalists out of the way.

Our correspondent reports that journalists who were accredited by the state Commissioner of Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah were left at the mercy of the security agents with nobody to rescue them.

All explanations by the leadership of all the chapels including that of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) chairman, Mr Joe Effiong fell on deaf ears as the team leader repeatedly ordered his boys to chase the pressmen away.

“This is not governor’s event, it is presidential visit and so we cannot allow all of you in even if you are national or local journalists,” the team leader said.

When all entreaties were to no avail, the NUJ chairman asked his members to leave.

The new governor’s office, is an architectural master piece, consists of conference room, lounge, multi-media studio, a press room and an executive council chambers with video conferencing facilities, among others.

The president equally laid foundation stone for a stadium, among other features, comprises classic multi-purpose layout with running tracks; two-tiered seating arrangement with excellent viewing conditions; arena with football pitch and eight-lane 400m standard track, including complete athletic facilities in the segment of the field.