By JOHNSON EBIGIDE

On October 6, 2020 the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) braced up against all daunting odds to conduct the election of the Delta State Council of the union in the state. The election had been thwarted twice owing to the unwholesome scheming of some power brokers in and outside the union that wanted to have their way at all cost.

However, with the strong determination and commitment of the national body, led by Comrade Christopher Ikechwuku Isiguzo (President), the election, considered in the history of the NUJ as the fiercest was successfully conducted. At the end of the tension soaked exercise, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu emerged the winner for a second term as the Chairman of the council in the state, beaten his closest rival with a flicker margin that made the outcome a divine exercise.

Yes, Comrade Ikeogwu clinching the seat was indeed a divine victory for him after the several stumbling odds that appeared insurmountable, preparatory to the election. One lesson from the outcome of the election, however, is that with commitment, determination, focus and the trust in God, one would ascend a mountain, the slippery surfaces not withstanding.

Comrade Ikeogwu is a child of destiny with an abundant capacity to turn around unfortunate situations for the better, using every given opportunity.

After his swearing in as the council chairman, he had immediately swung into action by building bridges of unity of purpose in the council. First, was his strengthening the sense of camaraderie among members of the union in the state, particularly those that were in the opposing divide before the election.

He invited them to put the election behind and join hands with him in building a virile council of the union. United in purpose with members, he marched outside the confine of the union to form alliances that could take the union to greater heights in the state.

Through several courtesy visits to critical stakeholders, individuals and corporate entities, in the state, the council had this past one year drew attention to the collaborative need of the union in fostering development in the society.

One key area that the council had scored the bull’s eye is in working hard to ensure the completion of the Press Centre of the union in Asaba, the state capital. Working in tandem with the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the council had drew the attention of the state government to the urgent need to complete the centre.

While appreciating the quick intervention of the state government towards the completion of the centre, there is the need to quicken its completion to enable the council take ownership of the complex and vacate the rented temporary press centre in the state capital.

The primary role of the union is ensuring good governance towards the development of the society. As the watchdog of the society, members of the union who are journalists are trained to sniff for any issue that could jeopardise the development of the society by reporting same, not minding whose toes are stepped upon in so doing.

The Ikeogwu leadership could have stepped on some powerful toes in the course of carrying out the mandate of being the watchdog in the state. The truth remains that such actions had brought out such toes from the position that could lead to been stepped upon again. Constructive criticism is the elixir for good governance, and that, the union had continually preached in the state and beyond.

As expected, the union have been suffering from crunchy financial insufficiency, so much so that the only official car of the chairman and the 18 seated bus of the council were down for months until recently, when the leadership once again, navigated against all odds to refurbish the vehicles, since the possibility of getting new ones appeared to be a mirage.

It is said that what goes up comes down. Comrade Isiguzo who had done so well in his first term as the President of the union in the country is seeking a second term. Comrade Isiguzo who had elaborately presented his scorecards to journalists in Asaba when he came to campaign for their votes, had smiled at them, saying ” my colleagues, Delta is my home. I will continue to work for the welfare of journalists in the state and beyond. Delta is a state I place high premium upon in our decision making in Abuja. We do not want any issue that could rock the smooth sail of the Comrade Ikeogwu leadership in the state.”

The 7th triennial conference of the union has been fixed for Thursday, October 7, 2021 in far away Umuahia in Abia State. Comrade Ikeogwu has on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 led 30 delegates and observers well in advance to the conference with a mission to return Comrade Isiguzo for a second term in office.

While congratulating Comrade Ikeogwu and his exco for strengthening the council this past one year, it has become necessary to appeal to those whose horses might have been touched roughly in the race to positively transform the council and carryout the watchdog mandate determinedly in the state to sheath their swords and cooperate with the union towards a better society.