New President For NUJ
By Solomon Ibharuneafe and Godfrey Azubike
Monday, March 13, 2006
Ndagene Akwu of the Rivers State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, beats two other contestants to emerge president of the union
The mantle of leader- ship of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ was last week handed over to Ndagene Akwu of the Rivers State Television. Akwu defeated two other contestants to emerge as the new national president of the NUJ at the 2nd Triennial Delegates Conference of the union which took place at the Obi Wali Integrated Cultural Centre, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
In a keenly contested election of the union, Ndagene Akwu, former NUJ national chairman, Rivers State council and the immediate past vice chairman zone 'F" of the union polled 332 votes to defeat his closest rival, Funke Fadugba, the immediate past chairman of NUJ Lagos state council, who recorded 281 votes, while Amaechi Dike, former chairman Abuja council of the NUJ polled 49 votes.
Others who emerge victorious in the election include, Mohammed Garba who was elected deputy national president, Shononoo Abdullahim, vice president zone 'A', Rotimi Obamuwagun, vice-president zone 'B', Ambrose Nwachukwu, vice president zone 'C' Joyce Bur, vice president zone 'D', Gidado Makahr, vice president zone 'E'' Anai Sunday, vice president zone 'F' Musa Ebomini vice president zone 'G' and Gbenga Oneyiga, vice president zone 'H'.
The rest officers are Ebenezer Edohasin, Financial secretary, Solomon Lomanga W. treasurer; Grace Nnadzie, auditor; Mohammed Umah, secretary zone 'H' and Iduma Idums, secretary zone 'C'
In his post-election speech, Akwu said he would ensure that priority was given to the construction of a befitting NUJ national secretariat in "Abuja, as well as the repositioning of the union to enable it meet the present day challenges. He gave the assurance that he would show concern to the welfare of members such that they will be happy and respected by all.
But Fadugba, former Lagos NUJ council chairman who contested alongside Akwu and Dike for the presidential position said she rejected the result because it did not reflect true position of the votes cast. She told journalists at a news briefing last Wednesday, that the election was characterised by fraud, pointing out that she was rigged out.
Fadugba revealed that rigging in the election was contemplated from the beginning, especially when there was no display of voters register prior to the election day. According to her, members of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC were invited to conduct the election as neutral body, but to the surprise of all, they were sidelined at the hall, only for Smart Adeyemi the immediate past president to introduce Bonny Iwuoha as the returning officer. According to her, Iwuoha had ceased to be a member of NUJ since he is no longer check-off paying member of the union.
The venue of the conference became charged when reports filtered out that Adeyemi, former president of the union and Wahab Oba, chairman, NUJ, Lagos council were invited by the State Security Service, SSS on allegation of death threat by Fadugba. Newswatch gathered that the two front leaders then complained to the SSS that Fadugba was not a delegate and should be barred from coming into the venue of the conference so as not to cause crisis. The SSS was said to have advised Fadugba to stay clear of the venue to prevent a crisis situation.
At 4 p.m. Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State came in with his entourage to declare the conference opened. The governor who was the chief host used the opportunity of the occasion to chastise media owners over the non-payment of salaries to journalists in their establishments. He said the journalism professionals are subjected to a lot of indignity and hardship as a result of poor and non-payment of salaries for upward of six to 12 months. In an angry mood, the governor said any media house that cannot pay its workers should close down instead of subjecting the workers and their dependants to perpetual suffering. Odili said the speaker of the state house of assembly and the entire house have approved the donation of N25 million to the national body of the NUJ as part of its contribution to the building of the Abuja national secretariat. He also announced an insurance cover for journalists working in Rivers State because of the hazards of the profession. He urged his other governor colleagues to make the welfare of journalists in their various states better through welfare packages. The governor while granting the request of the Rivers State council of the NUJ approved a bus and a car for their services. He also made available a piece of land for the building of the NUJ house in Port Harcourt.
Adeyemi earlier in his speech on his stewardship since 1999 reeled out the achievements of his administration to include image laundering for the NUJ and empowerment for members. He said that he worked for the passage of the freedom of information bill now at the National Assembly, instituted a scholarship programme for journalists and constitutional amendments among others. While thanking the members for the opportunity given him to serve for six years, he pleaded for permission to go back home and offer himself to the people of Kogi state and Okun nationality in particular. He promised to support the new executive that would be in place any time his services were needed.
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