...Honoured as Wildlife Champion for Her Role in Environmental Advocacy
Ukorebi Esien | August 6, 2025
CALABAR - Comrade Archibong Bassey, the first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has clinched her third prestigious award in less than two months, further cementing her place as a trailblazer in media, leadership, and advocacy.
Bassey who was recently re-inaugurated as NUJ chairman in Cross River State after completing Nsa Gill's tenure who was appointed Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Edet Otu has received accolades in quick succession. Her first major recognition came when she was listed in "Changemakers: 100 Nigerians Leading Change" (2025 Edition). This was closely followed by a Professional Fellowship awarded by the Research Gateway Professional Institute, an internationally recognized academic and vocational body.
Her latest recognition came yesterday, during the Champion of Wildlife Awards, held alongside the unveiling of the 2026 Boki Gorilla Festival and Carnival Theme, where she was honored as a Wildlife Champion under the Trailblazer in Wildlife Advocacy category for her role in promoting environmental conservation through journalism.
"I'm just amazed at what God can do," Bassey told journalists after receiving her award. "Everything is turning out for my good and what can I say but thank you, Jesus, for bringing me this far and finding me worthy. This means that much is expected of me, and I'm motivated to do more and more."
Bassey assured the event conveners of the NUJ's partnership in promoting conservation and cultural heritage, stating:
"The media under my watch will support this vision in every aspect. The convener is very passionate about our culture and ecotourism, and that is something truly commendable."
The convener of Champion of Wildlife Awards and the Boki Gorilla Carnival & Festival and CEO of Attahnet ltd, Chief Emmanuel Asu Abang, described the initiative as a cultural renaissance aimed at preserving Boki's natural biodiversity.
"As a Boki man and an environmentalist, I am passionate about wildlife and the preservation of our culture, We are creating a platform to promote what God has given us freely, our Boki culture, our gorillas, and our biodiversity."
He added that 75% of the funding for the project came from young people in the community, not government or the private sector.
"We're proud of the community buy-in. The people are involved, the chiefs have endorsed it, and volunteers are coming forward. This is more than just a project it's a movement."
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Julius Kidjo, the Special Assistant to the Cross River State Governor on Youth Development who was also awarded described the event as historic and transformational.
"Boki is being showcased to the world, this isn't just about gorillas, it's about jobs, tourism, and protecting our environment. A single tourist can inject over $1,000 into the local economy. This initiative will provide employment, attract investment, and transform Boki into a major tourism hub." He said
Dr. Julius, who hails from Boki LGA, urged youths involved in unsustainable logging to adopt selective exploitation, a forest-friendly method approved by the current administration under Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
"We must understand that preserving our forests and gorillas is key to long-term economic growth. Hotels will be built. Tourists will come. Local produce will have more value. This is a win-win for our people and the planet."
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which has been active in the Cross River landscape for over two decades, expressed readiness to deepen its collaboration.
Chief Jonathan Eban, representing WCS Country Director Dr. Hinoyom Homo, said:
"We're excited to be part of this program. WCS has worked in the KloSiva Gorilla Forest for the past 20 years, committed to saving wildlife and wild places in Nigeria. We look forward to more engagement with the organizers."
Earlier in her address, Mrs. Eme Affia, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, expressed Government's commitment and willingness to support the project.
"Cross River doesn't need to compete with any state. We have what we have. We're not talking about photoshopped wildlife—come to Boki and see gorillas in real life. This is Cross River, and nobody can take that away from us."
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