By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Immediate past Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, a versatile journalist and astute administrator, has been appointed as the Chairman of Nine man credentials committee to midwife the election of a new executive council in the Forthcoming National Election Congress later this year.
He was appointed at a well attended virtual meeting of National Executive Council (NEC), comprising members of the Central Working Committee, State Council Chairmen and Secretaries presided by the Union’s national President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, MFR.
Commending the choice of Michael Ikeogwu as the right person to head the NUJ 2024 Election Congress Credentials Committee, Comrade Godwin Okoh, veteran journalist stated that “It should be noted that Ikeogwu was a former Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Delta State Council, who also headed the Credentials Committee that midwifed the present executive of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) last year, so there’s no doubt that he will deliver on this new assignment given to him. He’s the best for the job at the moment”.
Comrade Ademu Seidu is going to serve as Secretary of the Ikeogwu’s-led Credentials Committee.
Other members of the committee are: Comrades Peculiar John, Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, Prince Leke Adegbite, Chidi Asonye, Ayuku Pwaspo, Rajab Mohammed and Dominic Akpan.
They are to midwife the conduct of a credible, transparent and successful election that would usher in the next Central Working Committee of the Union.
See Communique below.
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE VIRTUAL MEETING,NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC), NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 9,2024.
The meeting presided by the President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, MFR was well attended by members of the Central Working Committee, State Council Chairmen and Secretaries resolved as follows;
1. NEC extended the deadline for State Councils in default of payment for 2023 Professional Fees and Check Off Dues to December,31,2023 while State Councils yet to effect payment in 2024 in this regards were given six weeks extension. In consequences of the above, NEC also unanimously extends tenure of the current CWC until the Triennial Delegate conference. However, interested aspirants in the forthcoming Triennial Delegates Conference who have failed to remit their financial obligations to the Union within the period were not accommodated in the extension.
2. On the forthcoming Triennial Delegates Conference, NEC adopted November 28-30,2024 for the event in Owerri, Imo State.
3. NEC constituted a nine man Credentials Committee led by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu as chairman and Comrade Ademu Seidu as Secretary . They are to midwife the conduct of a credible, transparent and successful election that would usher in the next Central Working Committee of the Union. Other members of the committee are: Comrades Peculiar John, Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, Prince Leke Adegbite, Chidi Asonye, Ayuku Pwaspo, Rajab Mohammed and Dominic Akpan.
4. On the State of the Nation, NEC urged President Bola Tinubu to address critical concerns that would bring immediate succour to Nigerians and condemned acts of violence that rocked some States during the nationwide Hunger Protest.
5. NEC strongly condemns the unprofessional conduct of security personnel during the hunger protests across the nation especially assaults on Journalists in the cause of the discharge of their schedules. NEC insists that security personnel must be responsible in their actions on such occasions and exhibit enlightened professional composure while urging Journalists to observe Safety first at all times in their lines of duty.
6. NEC condemns the invasion by security personnel on the Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress and calls on the Federal Government to caution security agencies from such Gestapo acts under a democratic Government capable of plunging Institutions to the dark days of Military dictatorship.
7. NEC urged State Governors to speedily implement the new minimum wage signed into Law by President Bola Tinubu to assuage the challenges faced by Nigerian workers in the face of the dwindling economy.
8. State Governments were urged to take proactive measures in curbing food inflation, introduce price control templates to checkmate rising costs of foodstuffs while Governors who have started this process were commended.
9. NEC further commended State Governments rocked by issues of violence during the hunger protest on the curfew imposed in bringing immediate peace and return to normalcy.
10. NEC unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, MFR and the CWC for meritoriously serving the Union all through their tenure with distinction and new heights of excellence.
Comrade Amos Etuk
Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council – Chairman,CDC
Comrade Sam Udekwe
Chairman,Enugu State Council
Secretary, CDC
Comrade Isha Gadau
Secretary, Bauchi Council
Member, CDC