By Francis Sadhere
After series of postponement and fierce campaigns, Mr Michael Ikeogwu, the immediate past chairman of Warri Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist(NUJ) has emerged chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Delta State Council.
Ikeogwu, one time chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Warri correspondent of Pointer Newspaper who declared winner by Com. Gbemiga Bamidele deployed by the national body of the NUJ defeated Com. Fidelis Egugbo, Government House Correspondent also of the Pointer Newspaper in an election that was postponed twice that saw Com. Ikeogwu scoring 156 votes to Com. Egugbo’s 120 .
Com. Patrick Ochei defeated Com. Ben Dunno and Com. Lucky Ubiebor to emerge the vice chairman and Com. Churchill Oyowe who garnered 166 votes emerge Secretary, others who emerged victorious were Com. Celestine Afokobah, Assistant Secretary, Com. Ochuko Akuopha, Financial Secretary among others.
In his remarks, Com. Ikeogwu called on members to bury to bury the hatchet over the acrimony occasioned by the campaigns leading to the election, he appealed to those who lost out in the election to join hands with him to move the Union to greater heights. He promised that the welfare of members would be paramount to his administration just as he dedicated his victory to God and members of the Union, adding, “this victory is for all of us including those that contested against me. This victory is not mine alone.”
Meanwhile, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State has congratulated Com. Michael Ikeogwu on his election as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council.
Governor Okowa in a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu said Ikeogwu no doubt enjoys the confidence of his colleagues to have overwhelmingly elected him to lead them despite several postponements of the election.
The Governor noted that the election was keenly contested as all contestants campaigned vigorously to earn the trust and support of their colleagues.
“According to the governor, on behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate Comrade Micheal Ikeogwu and his executive members on their election into the State Executive Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council. Ialso congratulate Comrade Fidelis Egugbo and all others who fought gallantly for various positions. You may have lost today, but be rest assured that you have enriched the democratic process of the NUJ.”
While thanking the Credentials Committee and the Caretaker Committee for successfully organising a peaceful, fair and credible election, Governor Okowa assured the new Executive of the continued support and partnership of the state government with the NUJ.
The Governor further urged the new Executive to work harmoniously with all stakeholders in the union in order to position the union adequately for her role as the watch dog of the society.
Also the Nigerian Union of Journalists Warri Correspondents Chapel has congratulated its immediate past Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu for his smooth election as chairman of the Delta State Council of the NUJ.
A statement by the Chapel’s Chairman, Mr. Akpokona Omafuaire and its Secretary, Mr. Joe Ogbodu on Friday, said that the victory of Ikeogwu is a victory for NUJ Warri and victory for all members of the Delta Council of NUJ who stood firm to enthrone leadership by the people.
The Chapel also congratulated other contestants in the race who won in their respective positions, saying that the strong campaigns before the election and the eventual outcome of the election would make the Union more formidable and help Ikeogwu runs a success-oriented executive in the next three years.
The statement in particular, hailed the sportsmanship displayed by all other Chairmanship candidates and other contestants in the keenly and hotly contested election which saw the emergence of Ikeogwu.
The Chapel however solicited the cooperation of all members of the Union to enable the Ikeogwu-led State Council succeed in their desire to reposition and strengthen the NUJ Delta Council.
Specifically, the Chapel commended the Delta state government led by Dr Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for playing a neutral role and providing enabling environment for journalists in the state to elect their leaders without any encumbrances.
“We also want to salute the state Governor Dr Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who have played a very neutral role during the contest and allowing journalists to work and practice their professional responsibility as pace setters and watchdog of the society without meddling”, the statement said.
