APC Celebrates Journalist of Distinction at Birthday

Alh. Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, ANIPR, FMBI.

By Anietie Akpan

The State Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq. JP and the State Executive Committee members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State have described Alh. Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, as a journalist of high intellectual depth and professionalism.

The party said this in a statement of heartfelt felicitations on Sunday , May 18, to mark his birthday celebration today.

The statement which was signed by the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Cross River State, Hon. Emmanuel Edem Inyang JP, said, “as a graduate of  different higher institutions including the Prestigious University of Calabar,Cross River University of Technology, University of Cross River, Ebonyi State University, Federal Polytechnic Bida and Kwara State Polytechnic,Ilorin Where you bagged different degrees including Bsc,Mass Communication, PGD Management, Msc Mass Communication,MBA , MA,Phd(in view) HND and ND with flying colour’s, you have distinguished yourself as  a voracious reader and a man with quest for knowledge.

“As a foremost student Union leader who served with distinction during your National Youth Service in Cross River State, where you received the State Governor’s award as the Best Corps Member and Best CDS President in media and Publicity, your place in history as a man of distinction is trite.

“From your early career at Ladim Pharmacy, Ilorin, free People Newspapers in Minna,  and the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, you laid a solid foundation that has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most respected careers in journalism and public communication”.

Over the years, the statement said, “you have played critical roles in Nigeria’s media landscape, as  Reporter with Galaxy Television and Senior Reporter for AIT, Ray Power and Faaji Fm all owned by Daar Communications PLC, covering sensitive national events, from the Presidential Amnesty Programme in Obubra to ,Bakassi handing over  to the Republic of  Cameroon and election coverage across Bayelsa, Anambra, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Ekiti, and Cross River States.

“Your courageous and insightful reporting earned you accolades nationally and internationally including the AIT’s South South Commendation Letter and AIT Best Reporter of the Year Awards.

“Your contributions extend beyond journalism into strategic political communication. As a media consultant to the APC, your work was instrumental in shaping public perception, managing party narratives, which  contributed to our victories in the last general elections and for that we are immensely grateful”.

Having trained at the London School of Journalism and Thompson Reuters Foundation Institute in London, “your delivery of news and current affairs reportage has been excellent”, the statement added.

The party further stated that, “your appointments as Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to both the Governor of Cross River State, Apostle Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the immediate past  Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu also attest to your credibility, competence, and influence in governance and public service.

“Your service for seven and half years as head of  the Press Corp in government house,Calabar where your record of  outstanding performances stand tall till today is an earned crown”.

The statement described Zubair as “a seasoned global citizen, having travelled to over 25 countries across five continents; your international exposure continues to enrich your contributions to national discourse.

“As you celebrate this special day, we commend your loyalty, intellectual depth, professionalism and we pray that Allah graciously grant all your heart’s desires, give you courage, and the Iman to abide by the teachings of the Qur’an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Aameen thumma Aameen”.