BY CHIKA KWAMBA
THE Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has elected new officers to pilot the affairs of the Chapel in the next two years.
The election was supervised by the NUJ State Executive Council (SEC) led by Comrade Churchill Oyowe, alongside the Electoral and Credentials Screening Committee, chaired by Patrick Omagbemi.
Addressing members at Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba shortly before the announcement of the winners, Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, commended the electoral body and contestants for an exemplary conduct, noting that such orderliness was uncommon.
“I applaud you for being able to organise an election that was rancour-free. I also commend all of you for your conduct. I was here in the morning but didn’t come in. I saw you through my camera and everyone comported themselves well.
“I left briefly for the budget defence, none of you saw me and I still noticed that you were doing what is not very common in our elections in this country. I also followed your campaigns and saw that those aspiring to become leaders behaved responsibly; nothing like abusive campaigns or cliques. This is a wonderful example you are setting and I pray it is sustained,” he said.
The newly-elected officers are Chairman, Emite Igere, Vice Chairman, Stella Oputa; Secretary, Comrade Felix Evwihor; Financial Secretary, Comrade Marian Kogolo; Auditor, Comrade Ufuoma Sekegor and Treasurer, Comrade Stella Onyeobi.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Emite Igere, appreciated the outgoing executive for their openness and for providing a level playing field.
“Thank you for giving us a fair platform to contest. The outcome we are seeing today shows there was no bias, just a free, fair and peaceful process. The truth is that there is a lot of work ahead. It won’t be easy for a chapel that is fragmented into different sizes, but we will do our best to bring everyone together so that all members can be proud of this chapel,” Igere said.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ State Council, Comr. Churchill Oyowe and the Chairman of the Electoral and Credentials Screening Committee, Patrick Omagbemi, expressed confidence in the elected officers, stressing that every member is a leader regardless of position.
They underscored the need for unity of purpose so the chapel can face external challenges effectively and strengthen its stake in the state council.
