Community Development: NUJ Honours SUMEDHA Energy and Ibom Developers
SUMEDHA Energy Ltd (SEL), formerly Natural Oilfield Services Limited (NOSL), and Ibom Developers FZE have been presented with an Excellence Award by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council in recognition of their exceptional corporate social responsibility and consistent engagement with host communities.
The award, conferred during a media roundtable in Uyo, was presented by Comrade Bassey Akra, Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, who commended both companies for their strategic investment in humanitarian services and grassroots development.
According to Comrade Akpan, the honourees exemplify responsible corporate citizenship through their deliberate actions to uplift their host communities and maintain harmonious relationships across project locations.
Also speaking at the event, the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, praised the two companies for their partnership-driven approach to development. He described them as “worthy allies in building the kind of community-focused development Akwa Ibom deserves.”
Etuk shared a personal account of his visit to Eastern Obolo during a State Labour Committee mission, during which Ibom Developers FZE played a key role in the resolution of community unrest and the reopening of the Ikonta/Obianga creek. “That intervention restored access to a critical waterway,” he noted. “It reflected a genuine commitment to peace and local engagement.”
The NUJ Chairman further urged both companies to continue strengthening dialogue with host communities through regular site engagements and open communication — strategies he believes are critical to building trust, managing misinformation, and enhancing public perception.
Former Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Comrade Idongesit Ashemeri, also hailed the companies’ open-door policy toward the press and encouraged further collaboration via media training, capacity-building seminars, and the provision of essential work tools to support journalism.
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Mrs. Uduak Ekpo, Media Manager for Akwa Ibom, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the NUJ for the honour. She reaffirmed the companies’ dedication to meaningful community investment and stressed the vital role of the media in amplifying impact and dispelling false narratives.
Mrs. Ekpo also clarified misconceptions surrounding the presence of “Sterling Global” in Akwa Ibom, stating that the operating entities are SUMEDHA Energy Ltd and Ibom Developers FZE. She went on to highlight some of their landmark initiatives, including: Scholarships and educational grants for students, Women empowerment programmes, Free medical outreaches and over 50 sponsored eye surgeries, Provision of assistive devices and financial support to people with disabilities, Road construction and infrastructure development, Support for local fishermen through gear distribution and training, and the prioritization of local employment, with over 70% indigenous workforce
She ended her speech by calling for sustained media collaboration to enable the companies to extend their community-based efforts across more parts of the state
