By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
It was fun -fair as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel held its election. The election which took place in Press Centre, Warri in Warri South Local Government Area of the state was conducted by the State Executive Council of the union headed by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and judged one of the freest and fairest elections in the history of the union in recent time.
The different positions which were keenly contested for saw Comrade Victor Okpomor of Urhobo Voice Newspaper emerging as the Chairman as he returned unopposed, Comrade Edeki Igafe of News Agency of Nigeria scored 17 votes to defeat his opponent, Comrade Betty Idialu of Nigerian Observer that scored 9 votes, Comrade Ogude Samuel of Bailout Magazine emerged as the Assistant Secretary as unopposed, Comrade Francis Sadhere of National Reformer Newspaper emerged as Treasurer as unopposed, Comrade Elo Edremoda of The Nations Newspaper who emerged as Financial Secretary scored 14 votes to defeat her opponent, Comrade Odeya Ogbetuo of the Pointer Newspaper who scored 12 votes and Comrade Onyekachuwu Kelvin of Daily Trust Newspaper who emerged as Auditor scored 16 votes to defeat his opponent, Comrade Success Okuchemiya of South South Magazine who scored 10 votes.
Speaking after the new executive members were sworn by the Secretary of State Council of NUJ, Comrade Patrick Ochei, the Chairman of the Warri Correspondents’ chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor expressed joy to have been given the opportunity to serve the union once again saying, for this time around, he would run an open door policy and therefore sought the co-operation of all members to move the chapel forward.
According to him, the executive members are determined to move ahead doggedly this time around to ensure that the welfare of members is uppermost in their administration. He therefore used the opportunity to call on those who contested but lost as the executive would extend the hand of fellowship to all of them and therefore called on all members to give the necessary assistance to see that Warri Correspondents’ chapel regain its lost glory.
He said:” This executive shall run an open door policy and we are determined to move the chapel forward. I use this opportunity to call on those who contested but lost to assist in any way they can, to move the chapel forward. And I prayed for God’s protections and guidance for the executive in the piloting the affairs of the union in years ahead”.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu said, Warri election has always been a peculiar one to him saying, it is the place he comes from. He therefore congratulated both the winners and the losers of the election just as he advised the Chairman and his executive to run all embracing administration to promote the union beyond what it is now. According to Comrade Ikeogwu, the vibrancy Warri NUJ earlier known for , should be brought back in order to make the union take its pride of place adding, the priority of the members should be the Chairman and his executive members’ watch word.
He said” I urge the Chairman and his Exco members to run all embracing administration to move the Union than how it used to be”.
According to Comrade Ikeogwu, the State Council would want to see that the welfare of all members is the top priority just as he said, the State Council is aware of the supports given to the administration so far and therefore seeks more support from all members in the state to move the union forward. He therefore prayed for God’s protection, guidance of all members now and the years ahead in moving the union to the next level.