As the Enugu state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists warms up for its election coming up on Friday,March 7, 2025, members of the Restoration team (Support group )of the chairmanship candidate,Obinna Ogbuka and six other candidates, Sunday, March 2,2025, interfaced with the members of the Corporate Online Chapel of the NUJ, Enugu state council on the issues relating to NUJ and the forthcoming elections .
Addressing chapel members at the NUJ Press center, Enugu, the Director- General of Restoration team and Chairman of the Correspondents chapel , Lawrence Njoku who led the group to the meeting, said the aim of the visit was to familiarize with the Corporate Online Chapel members and consult them on their intents and hear from them.
“This is consultation, consultative meeting , just to tell you that there is something we want to do. By Friday, NUJ is supposed to have an election. We felt there is no how we will go into that process without hearing from you So, we came to interface with you. We are not campaigning. We have come to tell you that if election will hold on Friday that we have candidates who are going to contest” Njoku said .
Pix: Njoku
Speaking about the group, Njoku said, “We are a galaxy of men and women who practice Journalism. By the grace of God we are members of NUJ and we have some of us who are interested in contesting for some positions in the NUJ elections.
“There is Obinna Ogbuka of Radio Nigeria who wants to be the chairman. There is Sulieman Onyeama of the State Information ,,who wants to be the secretary .There is Chinedu Adonu of the Correspondents chapel, , who wants to be the Vice Chairman, there is Fred Nnaji from the ESBS who wants to be the Assistant Secretary . There is Floxy Ani from State Information ,who wants to be the Auditor,. There is Sandra Ukeje from the Solid Fm , who wants to the financial secretary . There is Stephanie Udeh ,from the Federal Information, who wants to be the treasurer .
He called for support of the members of the Corporate Online Chapel members saying, “we have come to interface with you so that you tell us what you think of them and what you think of the NUJ” Njoku said.
Pix: Sone members of the Restoration team
In his speech, the chairmanship candidate, Obinna Ogbuka, said they came to rub minds with the Corporate Online Chapel members, to discuss with the group, and to seek their opinion. He added that they played a critical role in the last election, and worked with the outgoing executive offering advice, where they did not get things right.
Ogbuka, said the outgoing executive have done their best and “I think it’s time to make things happen faster “. He said he will strengthen the chapels and create more chapels if he comes in as Chairman of the state council and promised to unveil his manifesto during the campaigns.
“We are not here to talk about individuals. We are not here to campaign. We know your number, we know what you can do. We are here to discuss with this chapel. We are ready to listen to your advice.
” Friday, 7Th of March, is going to be a very important day in the life of the NUJ. We will take a decision that can be right or wrong. We pray God to give us the wisdom to make a right choice’.Ogbuka said.
Pix: Onyeama
In his brief remarks, Suleiman Onyeama of the state Information in ,the d , urged members to make the right decision on Friday. “You people should consider us”, he said.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Corporate Online Chapel, Alex Odomero who received the group on behalf of the chairman, Clinton Umeh , told the grouo that their message will be conveyed to the members of the Corporate Online Chapel.
Pix: Dr. Anioke
A member of the Corporate Online Chapel, Dr. Uche Anioke, in a remark, recalled how NUJ Press center ,Enugu, used to be lively in the past with members coming around to interact with their friends and colleagues He urged journalists to always work together, move the Union forward .
Author: Maureen Ikpeamaf