By Isaiah Ojo
The Isoko Chapel of Delta State Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has last Sunday elected Comrade Matthew Unyove as the Chapel Chairman for a first term in office.
Others elected include, Jonadab Edede, Vice-Chairman, Blessing Omoevah, Secretary, Ekemena Azaino, Auditor and Kelvin Ohoror, Assistant Secretary.
The election which was held at Isoko Chapel Press Centre, Oleh, was conducted by the NUJ State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe accompanied by the State Council Acting Secretary, Comrade Josephine Omordio and Celestine Afakoba.
Addressing the Chapel members at the special Congress, the Credentials Committee Chairman, Mr. Solomon Akora, informed the the State Council that the candidates were well screened to qualify them for their respective positions they were contesting to win.
He noted that the candidates complied with the guidelines set out for the election and were declared fit to contest the election with no opposition, and therefore declared them returned unopposed as the winners.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Comrade Matthew Unyove expressed appreciation to members of the union, pledging that his administration will sustain and improve on the existing legacies that his predecessors have created.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone of you for your support and for finding me worthy as chairman of this prestigious chapel.
“I want to assure you all that my tenure will seek to build on the already existing colourful legacies the past administration has established.” he noted.
He assured that his administration will open doors for meaningful collaboration that will prompt development and growth.
“I also want to say that we will seek for collaboration with members and other stakeholders to move the chapel to the next level”
“I wish to cease this moment to thank the State Executive Council, ably headed by Mr Churchill Uyowe for your immerse support.
“I also want to appreciate our leader, Mr Emmanuel Ekebe, for his leadership guidance”, he added.
Earlier in his valedictory speech, the outgoing Chairman of the Isoko Chapel, Comrade Michael Ilaya, enjoined members to seek for unity, peace and set outside every existing grievance.
“As a new leadership prepares to take the mantle, I urge everyone to put aside whatever divisions the transition process may have created. A house divided against itself cannot safeguard the interests of this Chapel and the hard working reporters”
Furthermore, he urged members to support the new administration, noting that his end in office does not mean his end of service.
In his words, “Extend to the incoming executive the same, if not greater – cooperation, prayers, and constructive criticism that you gave us.
“Leaving office does not mean leaving the Chapel and the profession. I remain a foot soldier of the NUJ, ready to offer myself for service whenever I am called upon in a different capacity.”
On his stewardship account, Comrade Michael llaya noted that his administration within the two tenures of six years, achieved salient feats including prudent management of the finances of the Chapel according to the available resources.
“During the pendency of my administration within the two tenures, we prudently managed the finances of the Chapel according to the available resources.
“Under my watch, the official news medium of the Chapel, The Isoko Nation newspaper was successfully metamorphosed into an Online News blog that has consistently maintained its visibility in the media space.
“Under my leadership, we have added value to our social responsibility activities by the consistent engagement of students on Industrial Attachment Training, to deploy the practical experience of the profession, utilizing the official news medium of the Chapel, The Isoko Nation newspaper.
“The Chapel had maintained steady and timeous payment of the member’s annual professional and practicing fees to the State Council of the NUJ.
“The leadership of the Chapel always maintained its presence consistently at SEC and Congresses of the NUJ.
He said, as part of the feats, that the chapel had maintained steady payment of the members annual professional and practicing fees to the State Council of the NUJ adding that the leadership represented the Chapel consistently at SEC and Congresses of the NUJ.
In his remarks, the state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Oyowe congratulated the newly elected executives, urging them to sustain the gains recorded by the previous administration and work together as a united team to advance the affairs of the chapel.
He emphasized that the Isoko Chapel has continued to play a significant role in advancing the growth and development of the NUJ Delta State Council.
While giving them assurance of support, he charged the new executive to introduce forward-thinking programmes that would enhance the public image of the chapel and deepen public confidence in its operations.
