Enugu State Information chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday ,18Th October ,2023, elected Comrade Hyginus Odoh as it’s chairman.
Pix- Aka Eze Aka, Commissioner for Information
In the re-run held at the ministry’s hall, State Secretariat ,G.R.A.Enugu, Odo pulled 51 votes, to defeat his opponent, Ifeanyi Egbo, who got 44 votes.
The chairman of the electoral committee, Comrade Uzoamaka Agbo- Nzekwe who announced the results, declared Hyginus Odoh winner of the chairmanship election .
Addressing members before the election, the Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka, called for a peaeful election . He resolved the issue of eligibility to vote, which raised dust during the October 5Th election and ruled that a member , Ngozi Agbo, who was suspended by the NUJ, national Secretariat, was eligible to vote because she tendered a copy of the Court judgement on the suit she filed against the NUJ challenging her suspension from the union.
Pix-NUJ Executives -Udekwe, Amuta, Nwafor
Aka Eze Aka directed that Ngozi Agbo should be allowed to vote since the court ruled in her favour and there was no contrary judgement to that.
He however directed that a member on secondment, and the one whose phone number was hacked should not vote.
Earlier, a member of the chapel, Nkiru Onuorah, stressed the need for members to be in peace with one another. She urged them to shun rancour and bickering, saying, “We are one family. We are colleagues. Let everybody sheath his or her sword.”
Pix- Agbo-Nzekwe
In her opening remarks, chairman of the electoral committee ,Comrade Uzoamaka Agbo- Nzekwe, urged members to organise themselves in an orderly manner and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.
pix-Odoh
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Hyginus Odoh promised to keep to his campaign promises. He also promised to deliver “service to humanity.”
He said, ” there is a dream I have for the chapel. This time around, we must be producing accounts.è I am your servant . I will work and bring the chapel to enviable heights. I give God all the glory, all the honour. Thank you for your support”, he said.
Pix- Members of the chapel
In an interview, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Sam Udekwe, described the election as transparent, free and fair. He said the emergence of the new executives was a welcome development.
“It’s indeed a good development. The people on their own made their choice and their officers have emerged without any external influence.
“I thank the members and most especially the management of the ministry of Information led by the Commissioner, Aka Eze Aka for their impeccable supervision and control.
“The bottom line is that we in the Enugu State Council have come and enthroned the pathway to sustainable peace and that was what I have witnessed here with joy. I do appreciate our members in the state ministry of Information.
“May I by the same token of appreciation urge the new executive of the chapel to carry everyone along and ensure that the peace is maintained.
“We in the state council shall continue to give the needed support,” Udekwe said.
Newly inaugurated Exco members
Pix- Chapel members. Onuorah standing
The election was monitored by the Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) Enugu state council, Comrade Sam Udekwe, Secretary of the NUJ, Comrade Ifeoma Amuta, the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Chigozie Alex-Nwafor , the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr Ben Ezema, Emeka Nebo, Director (Photo and film), Osy Ogboso (Director, ministry of Information),and Ugochukwu Adimora (HOD Administration).
Pix-Aka ( standing)
Highlights were the inuaguration of the chapel Executives by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr. Ezeme and presentation of certificates to the Exco members by the Commissioner for Information,Aka Eze Aka.
It could be recalled that the Chapel in its October 5Th,2023 elections , could not produce a chairman because the two chairmanship candidates scored the same number of votes, (45 votes each),, which resulted to the re-run.
Below are other results of the Octiober 5Th,2023 elections:
Vice Chairman:
Ugochi Nwoke-48
Grace Okenwa- 42
Secretary:
Obianuju Ezeh- unopposed
Assistant Secretary:
Lucy Harry Enwu-51
Onyeka Okechukwu Joseph–39
Treasurer:
Mercy Okoh-48
Nnamdi Eneh-42
Financial secretary:
Ogochukwu Onah-59
Edeh Christian Okonkwo–31
Internal Auditor:
Enemchukwu Paul- 48 votes
Gideon Ezeh-41 votes
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
Aka Eze Aka
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