A chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming state congress and election into the Rivers State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Obed Omah has expressed readiness and quests to positively reposition the current battered image of the state council of NUJ.
Obed Omah who made the disclosure while appealing for support from The Newswriter chapel during a campaign visit to the chapel by the New Era Campaign Organization, Monday promised to restore the dignity of NUJ in the state, said welfare and security of members would be given top priority amongst the lofty programmes earmarked by his administration if elected chairman of the council.
Mr. Omah equally pledged to resuscitate the annual Press Week activity which has been extinguished in the state by the outgoing administration, said a lot of things had gone wrong and pledged to work with all chapels in the state to ensure that the working conditions of members is improved as against what it is presently.
Meanwhile, the New Era Campaign Organization has described Mr. Obed Omah as very accessible, appreciable and accountable to rely on and solicits for support from other chapels, adding that if Omah emerges victorious and winner of the election, NUJ in the state would turn a new leaf and become a better a place to be.
Acting Director General of the campaign organization, Philip Owaji-Oboro Philip who decried the situation of the state council of NUJ described it as been in a sorry state and as well hijacked by those he qualified as buccaneers.
Philip Owaji-Oboro however appealed to The Newswriter chapel to be part of the process for the needed change, saying that the lofty programmes of New Era Campaign Organization would be piloted by men, hence pledged to carry all along in the scheme of things if Omah is elected.
In a similar development, another contestant, Lilybox Imikubi has corroborated that several things have gone wrong with the out-going administration of the state council of the NUJ and promised to restore the lost glory of the Union if elected chairman.
According to Lilybox who led his campaign team to The Newswriter chapel last weekend, introduction of Ernest Ikoli annual lectures, Awards to Performing journalists, members’ security and welfare as well as cooperation with publishers to enhance productivity, cater for other teething problems of members and off-course combating touting on the field would be considered most in his administration if elected.
Lilybox while appealing for delegates votes from The Newswriter chapel lamented the unjust attitude of the current executives of the union whose under their watch the dignity of the union has been extinguished and described the disappearance of the library system of the union, disappearance of a car, press week, annual endowment fund and promised to resurrect all if elected.
Earlier, the Campaign Director for Lilybox chairmanship, Mr. Owupele Benibo while presenting Mr. Lilybox to The Newswriter chapel said now is the time for members to think of what services to render to the union rather than what to gain from NUJ.
Mr. Benebo, a vibrant member of the information chapel while advocating for support to ensure the victory of Mr. Lilybox maintained that the candidate was a tested and proven man of integrity and well prepared to do the job.
In his responses, the Managing Editor of The Newswriter, Dcn. Damiete West had appreciated both groups for identifying the chapel in their campaign tour and promised to give them the necessary support.
On the need for a peaceful congress and quality leadership, Dcn. West advised the contestants to avoid whatever that would endanger peace or further ridicule the union’s image but strive to provide quality leadership that would be equal to none aimed at librating the suffering of members in every chapel, wishing them well in their endeavours. ###
James Mgboineme
