The newly elected chairman of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Amoni Ayo Tamuno has called on his opponents at the election to close rank with him to move the union forward.
Mr. Tamuno made the call in his acceptance speech after being declared winner during the NUJ Rivers Council election at the NULGE consulate, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt last weekend.
Mr. Tamuno who expressed his gratitude to members for voting him as the chairman of the union noted that his emergence as chairman of the union was a victory for all and appealed to his opponents to join him and work together to move the union forward, adding that the new secretariat built by the past Rivers State government would assist in generating revenue for the union assuring that the fund realize will be utilized effectively and enjoined union members to advise the executive where necessary and support them execute to move the Rivers NUJ forward.
Earlier in his speech the chairman of the credential committee, Dr. Paul Worika who described the election as peaceful noted that the committee conducted wonderful election due to the coporation of members, pointing out that both the losers and winners are all winners and advised all members of the union to cooperate with one another.
Ozaka US, the vice chairman South-South zone of the NUJ who described the conduct of the election as free and fair noted that the election was credible due to the maturity displayed by members of the Rivers State Council of Journalists and enjoined the losers and winners to work together.
Announcing the result, the National Assistant Secretary of NUJ who described the election as free and fair election expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election as well as the maturity exhibited by members of the Union during the election.
However, the NUJ National Assitant Secretary while declaring the result announced that Ayo Tamuno pulled 147 votes while his close rival Stanley Job Stanley the former secretary of the Union scored 82 votes while Mimiku Lilybox graped 52 votes.
In the post of vice chairman Miss. Uche Abam of the RSTV got 117 to defeat other contestants, Miss Clarice Azuatala of Federated Chapel and Jim Opiki of the Independent Chapel who scored 76 and 85 respectively.
While in the post of General Secretary Soibi Max Alalibo of the Tide chapel scored 145 votes while Mr. Tonye Orabere of Tide went home with 130 votes. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
