The deputy chief press secretary to the Cross River State governor, Mr Edem Darlington, on Friday led a delegation from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to visit an ailing journalist, Mr Enya Ndem, at his Effiong Asi residence at the Edim Otop axis of Calabar Metropolis.
Ndem, a correspondent of Ibom Nation Newspapers, is currently facing serious health challenges.
The visit was a show of solidarity and compassion from the NUJ and the governor’s office.
Darlington, a former classmate of Ndem, presented an undisclosed amount of money and food items including yams, garri and rice, to support Ndem’s immediate needs.
“We just feel that we should be there for each other, so you are never forgotten,” he said.
He expressed concern over Ndem’s living conditions, stressing that his current residence was not habitable, and efforts would be made to relocate him to a more suitable place.
Darlington charged Ndem to remain strong and prayerful, saying, “God has a way of repositioning his creatures at his appointed time.”
The governor’s aide was accompanied by some aides and NUJ members, who all echoed similar sentiments.
In her remarks, the chairman of the Cross River Council of NUJ, Comrade Archibong Bassey, praised Darlington’s gesture, saying, “We felt it was important to come here personally to see you and let you know that you are not alone.
“As colleagues and brothers in the profession, we must always look out for one another,” she maintained.
Bassey described Darlington’s actions as a true demonstration of empathy, leadership and professional brotherhood, and urged NUJ members to emulate his example.
Reacting, Ndem expressed deep gratitude to Darlington and the NUJ delegation, becoming emotional as he spoke.
“I feel very grateful from the bottom of my heart. I didn’t expect all of you to climb this place just to see me,” Ndem said, also thanking them for their generosity. He joked about the challenging terrain leading to his residence, calling it “the Golf of Effiong Asi.”
The visit ended on a hopeful note, with Ndem’s colleagues reassuring him of continued support and collective efforts to improve his welfare and living conditions.
