We want AKBC to compete with CNN – AKBC DG, Pastor Anietie Ukpe

Pastor Anietie Ukpe could be described as a foremost media guru in Akwa Ibom State. His experience in information and image management spans decades. He was Chief Press Secretary to ex-governor Godswil Akpabio and is currently the Director General of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC.

The imprint of his sterling qualities is obvious with a rejuvenated AKBC as signpost. With over two years without transmission breakdown, improved power supply yet with lesser diesel consumption and complete overhaul of programmes with Digital makeover, Ukpe has made a mark.

With such credentials, our Chief Correspondent, AKANIMO KUFRE finds out from the DG how big the chances are for Gov. Udom Emmanuel in 2019, the odds against him and AKBC’s role in his 2019 re-election bid. Excerpts:

Sir, you have done quite a remarkable job improving AKBC’s viewership despite challenge of multiplicity of electronic media houses in Uyo, how did you do it and what new addition should we expect to maintain AKBC as household name in Akwa Ibom?

Well leadership is about providing motivation and inspiration from those in your team and so what I have been doing is to transform human resources potential available in AKBC. We also appreciate the wonderful support of His Excellency the governor, he has always been there, has a listening ear. You cannot fail to succeed when you have somebody like that behind you. In AKBC the first challenge was to build the team, bring people together to the table, and address the challenges facing the corporation  to be able to do that we also noticed the competition facing us in terms of other stations we appreciate that more stations should come in to be because it is only when there is competition that you excel. You don’t break the world record if you are running alone. We appreciate the competition, it also means you have to work harder, run faster. At a point I had to recalibrate our radio programming, so we set up a team headed by wonderful woman and ace broadcaster and she came up with a proposal. We studied the proposal, submitted to management, and accepted that we recalibrate them. We came up with new programme regiment, it was quite appreciated. We had to think out some things in the television and when we had the opportunity, we hired a consultant who was ready to change some equipment. Andin all we have been doing we still have a lot to do with God on our side. We want AKBC to be up to CNN quality not only in terms of picture quality but also content in terms of presentation and news casting.

From feelers, your team is well motivated under your administration but how would this transform to support for Gov. Udom’s second term in office come 2019?

AKBC is midwifed to provide tremendous support to the governor in his re-election bid. AKBC serves as a bridge between the government and the governed. And therefore you would expect AKBC to extend government to the people and explain the people to the government. We serve as a bridge like I said earlier and also intend to use that programmes to ensure that the people know what the governor has done , his sacrifices, labour and effort of the governor to Akwa Ibom people.

You are from a strong constituency, Ikot Ekpene senatorial district… do think Gov. Udom Emmanuel has any strong contender there?

In Ikot Ekpene senatorial district the governor has enjoyed robust support and I don’t really see any problem in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district for him.

What are the direct impact projects Udom administration has established or executed for the people to enjoy in that district?

Well there are many, you have appointments, you have roads, the cassava processing and fertilizer plants. Yes you have many of them. You know this is not an interview planed along lines of the pitch. So there is no where I can now reel out the names of the items you want one after the other.

Sir you shoulder this huge responsibility of making Akwa Ibom people understand what this government is doing. What outstanding action has really impacted the people of the state in last few months?

You have industrialization. The governor has been involved in stupendous industrialization. He has brought industries to Akwa Ibom. That to me is a big plus because industry begets industry. You establish a successful industry in a particular area other industries, companies will rush. And if that industry thrives, more investors will be interested, more entrepreneurs will be interested in coming to the business environment. And so I believe that given the number of industries he has brought that other investors are watching. And if these industries thrive as we believe God there will survive then you would believe Gov. Udom has created an investor friendly environment. More entrepreneurs, more investors are interested to come to Akwa Ibom for business.

Having served under Senator Godswill Akpabio as CPS and under Gov. Udom Emmanuel, what would you compare as outstanding between these administrations even the ones earlier?

Each person has his approach, for instance when George Weah became the president of Liberia, he has focus on sports development and therefore the basis of comparison will be difficult because each of them came based on a view point, based on a perspective to do certain things and when His Excellency Gov. Udom Emmanuel took over he made it very clear he was going to focus on industrialization and he has given us industrialization. That is what we need to look at not actually think of comparing persons and all that. Gov. Udom Emmanuel has done well, changed the industrial landscape of Akwa Ibom and that is what we need to take into the next election and into the campaign.