From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, Comrade Achibong Bassey, has received two awards from the Pink Africa Foundation in recognition of the council’s contributions to breast cancer awareness and community engagement.
The awards were presented during a breast cancer awareness rally held in Calabar penultimate Saturday. The event was organised by the Pink Africa Foundation in partnership with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
The NUJ Cross River State Council received the awards for Most Resourceful Organisation and Most Engaging Organisation, in recognition of its reported efforts to promote breast cancer awareness and encourage community participation.
In a statement made available to our reporter, Bassey said the awards recognised the council’s contributions to breast cancer advocacy, including the mobilisation of resources, expertise and volunteers, as well as efforts to strengthen community engagement.
Reacting to the recognition, Bassey expressed excitement over the double honours, describing them as an encouraging achievement during her tenure as chairman.
“This is so exciting. I am so honoured that in my tenure, NUJ brought two awards in one day. What can I say? Thank you, Jesus,” Bassey said.
She thanked the Pink Africa Foundation and the UICC for recognising the council’s efforts, adding that the awards reflected the contributions of NUJ members through their professional activities and community engagement.
The NUJ chairman also urged journalists to remain committed to their responsibilities, noting that even seemingly small actions could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and attract recognition beyond their immediate environment.
“Let us keep our candle burning in our secret little corners because you don’t know who is watching. You don’t know whose life you are impacting,” she said.
Bassey said the recognition demonstrated that the council’s activities were being noticed and appreciated.
She described the awards as a source of encouragement following what she characterised as a difficult preceding week.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with organisations working to improve breast cancer awareness and promote related advocacy initiatives.