Build brands for progress while fostering collaboration—NUJ Chairman Charges Practitioners

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, has urged media practitioners and marketers to build brands that drive progress and foster effective collaborations within the state and beyond.

He gave the charge during the 10th Anniversary celebration of Pear Media and Marketing, held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in Uyo.

Comrade John encouraged practitioners to embrace innovation, uphold ethics, and focus on storytelling that builds societal values, partnerships, and collaborations, noting that credibility remains the strongest currency for any brand. According to him, the future of the media industry lies in practitioners’ ability to combine professionalism with technology while creating platforms for meaningful partnerships.

He said the Union is building vibrant professionals who hold government and the private sector accountable, noting that Akwa Ibom’s dynamic Press has shaped the state.

While congratulating Pear Media, led by Mrs. Unyime Ebong, on a decade of consistency in business, the NUJ Chairman stressed the importance of synergy in today’s media landscape. He pointed out that traditional media had existed long before the new media and therefore urged players in the emerging digital space to collaborate and learn from established structures.

In a keynote address, Dr Idongesit Ashameri stressed the need for brands to embrace strategic media partnerships to drive visibility, credibility, and long-term authority, noting that brands must project themselves authentically, build trust with consumers, and create ecosystems that foster engagement.

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Dr Ashameri noted that today’s consumers value authenticity more than ever and urged brands to focus on credibility, authentic engagement, and legacy-building through expertise.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Unyime Ebong, noted that the firm’s success has been built on resilience, adaptation, and collaboration across both traditional and digital media platforms.

She explained that the company began as Pear AD, distributing advertorial booklets, before evolving into a full-fledged integrated marketing communications agency.

Ebong stressed that the future of the media industry lies in convergence rather than competition while explaining the role and importance of partnerships with clients, media organisations, vendors, and other stakeholders in sustaining Pear Media’s growth.

She urged media practitioners, PR experts, and brand leaders to continue building stronger voices through collaboration and innovation, adding that the anniversary was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a call to renewed commitment for greater impact in the industry.

The event was attended by media practitioners, advertising experts, online influencers, and other stakeholders and featured a panel discussion as well as the cutting of the 10th anniversary cake.