By Isabella Okon
The Akwa Ibom State Government has redeployed seasoned journalist and media administrator, Helen John Udofa, as the new Director of Information and Public Communication in the Ministry of Information.
The redeployment, approved by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, follows the retirement of the immediate past Director of Information and Public Communication, Mr. Aniekan Ukpong, from the State Civil Service.
Before her new appointment, Udofa served as the first female Editor (Daily) and Head of the Editorial Department of The Pioneer, the Akwa Ibom State-owned newspaper, where she built a reputation for professionalism, editorial excellence and effective newsroom leadership.
A respected media practitioner, Udofa holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication and belongs to several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), African Women in the Media (AWiM) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ). She also previously served as the National Secretary of NAWOJ, contributing significantly to the advancement of women in journalism.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet, NPOM, the government said the redeployment takes immediate effect.
The statement expressed confidence in Udofa’s capacity to provide purposeful leadership, noting that her extensive experience, professionalism and dedication would strengthen public communication and enhance information management in the state.
Her appointment has been welcomed by media stakeholders as a recognition of competence, experience and the growing role of women in leadership within Nigeria’s media and public service sectors.
The management and Editorial Team of Weekenders magazine Congratulate her.