Remarks by Elder Asu Beks,Pioneer President of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria ,MARAN, at a Civic Reception held in Honour of Past Presidents.
Protocol . Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is most gratifying to stand before you today to be honoured by this great body as pioneer President of MARAN. This clarity has become imperative because it is on record that i succeeded my brother and friend, Pastor Alban Opara ,who was the founding caretaker Chairman ,who ran the body briefly at a time we had no constitution. May the soul of Late Ubon Akpan, who headed the constitution drafting committee, that saw my emergence as the first democratically elected President , rest in peace .
I cannot thank the organisers of this event enough for their foresight and goodwill in putting together such a brilliant idea. There is no gainsaying the fact that the 1999 constitution as ammended recognises the unique role of the media as the 4th es...