By Emeka Amaefula
RIVERS STATE CHAPTER, NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS HOLDS 2025 TRIENNIAL CONGRESS, COMRADE OGBOKA UMEDA SET TO EMERGE CHAIRMAN
The Rivers state Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ is currently savouring the moment of frenzy atmosphere laced with suspense as various contestants sre geared up to participate in the upcoming 2025 Triennial Delegates Congress election slated to take place on Wednesday,22nd of January, 2025.
The outgoing Execitives led by Comrade Job Stanley Job as Chsirman and Comrade Ike Wigodo are prepared to leave the stage as Comrade Gabriel Nwaitanya and his Credential and Election Planning Committee on Monday 20th of January 2025 organized Manifestoe evening for the contestants who used the opportunity to convince the delegates on their Marshall plans on how best to pilot the agfairs of journalists practicing in Rivers state.
Top in the led between the two Chairmanship contestants comprising of Comrade Ogboka Umeda of Mandate Team and Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsanen leader of Transformation Team, it was obvious that Comrade Ogboka Umeda came prepared with his charimatic nature packed with innovative ideas on a 9- Point agenda for Rivers state journalists. First is the welfare pf Journalists which he stated that his incoming administration will prioritize the “wellbeing and interests of NUJ members in Rives state”. Secondly, topmost item in his programme of voted in as Chairman of Rivers State Council is repositioning the chapter according to him, he us going to engage in ” rebranding and repositioning the NUJ Rivers state Council for greater relevance and effectiveness”.
Thirdly, according respect to members of the Union is among his key social re- engineering approaches as he said that his incoming administration will be engaged with ” Promoting respect and recognition for NUJ members in Rivers state”.
The light complexioned handsome and intelligent journalist who is a graduate of Mass Communication identified with the remuneration of journalists which he said that journalists Salary structure and insurance policy will take center stage as his incoming Mandate team will advocate for a better compensation and benefit plans including insurance coverage for all qualified practicing journalists in the state.
Fift in his plans is the revitalization of the edifice housing journalists in the state known as Ernest Ikoli Press Center named after the foremost Niger Delta born premier journalist in the country,late Ernest Ikoli. He stated that his team’s agenda will be ” To renovate and modernize the Ernest Ikoli Press Center to provide a conducive and equipped hub for journalists, thereby enhancing their productivity and professionalism”.
Stating further, he said capacity building for journalists will be approached by establishing “regular training and retraining prpgrammrs for journalists in Rovers state, focusing on contemporary issues, digital journalism,and ethical standards to ensure optimum service delivery”.
Disturbed by the actions and inactions of intruders into the noble journalism profession, he promised to eradicate quackery as his team will endure that only certified and trained journalists will ve allowed to practice in Rivers state…” To achieve this, we shall come up with a compendium containing the names of all certified journalists in the state”.
Comrade Ogboka Umeda having identified the need for promoting work- life balance for journalists, he promised to establish a platform fir journalists ” to explore their spprting potentials and relaxation, fostering a healthy work- life balance and overall well-being of journalists in Rivers state”.
Final item in his action packed agenda is reviving NUJ’s Professional image ” to rebrand and elevate NUJ’s image, aligning it with other esteemed professional bodies, through proactive engagement, advocacy, and adherence to ethical standards.”
He pledged to transform the journalism.practice in Rivers state if voted into office come Wednesday, 22nd of January,2025.
Since 60 years the Nigerian Union of Journalists came into being in the state, no woman has been elected as Secretary.In the 2025 Triennial Delegates Congress will witness the election of a female Secretary Ijeoma Tubosia PhD a member of the Mandate Team.
Speaking during the Manifesto night event she said “This time,my team, The Mandate Team, has given women the opportunity to make more meaningful impacts in NUJ,the Mandate Team did not only allocate four good positions to women, it also magnanimously conceded the exalted position of Secretary to us. This means women eill dominate the SWC in the coming dispensation…You all can now see why i decided to team up with the Mandate Team”.
Mandate Team fielded candidates in all the available 7 positions whereas its challenger the Transformation team only featured 4 candidates comprising of Chairmanship,Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.
The Campaign Director General of
Mandate Team a seadoned journalist and Editor Mr. Olalekan Ige, in his effort to garner more votes for his Mandate Team took to direct telephone communication with the delegates, marshalling out the Agenda of his candidates made up of Comrade Ogboka Chris Umeda as Chairmanship candidate, Mr. Kelvin Nengia as incoming Vice Chairman, Ijeoma Tubosia as Secretary, Thayibat Pepple as Assistant Secretary, Fubara Miebaka as Financial Secretary, Doris Tams Morrison as Treasurer and Ominini Leslie coming as Auditor. The slogan for Mandate Team is anchored on “Purpose driven and pragmatic leadership”.
——–Emeka Amaefula—+234(0)8111813069——–