A/Ibom NUJ chairman breaks jinx gets another mandate

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By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo.
Patrick Albert, Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has broken what was described as a jinx that no seating chairman in the state had ever made a second term after the mandatory one tenure of three years, though the Union’s Constitution allows 2nd term in office.
In a keenly contested triennial delegates’ election of the Union which took place at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo on Tuesday, Mr. Albert did not only get a second term mandate overwhelmingly but become the first chairman to be re-elected as opposed to others whose attempt usually ended in defeat in favour of their respective opponents.
Albert who is also of Pioneer Chapel of NUJ, scored 318 votes to emerge winner after defeating his opponent, Mr. Joseph Robert who scored 150 votes. Robert, who served the Union as the immediate past State Secretary, is of the State Information Chapel.
Our Correspondent who witnessed the conduct of the exercise reported that Mr. Albert made the feat following his achievements at the Union Secretariat which journalists in the state see as superior performance.
These include transforming the landscape of the NUJ’s secretariat complex located along Information Drive in Uyo and giving the union in the state its place of pride courtesy of the magnanimity of the state government and other spirited individuals and corporate organisation.
Other members elected into the new executive council are Nene Albert of Information Chapel – Vice Chairman; Amos Etuk, Consolidated Chapel – Secretary; Patrick Titus, Correspondents Chapel – Assistant Secretary; Nsikak Okon, NTA Chapel – Treasurer; Emmanuel Silas of Insight Chapel – Financial Secretary while Saviour Ekpe of Newsfront Chapel emerged the Auditor.
Administering the oath office on the newly elected officers, Daniel Etim, Esq. urged members to work within the content of the oath of the office they took as well as the constitution of the union.
The NUJ National Vice President Zone F, Mr. Edward Ogude who supervised the election, commended Mr. Mfon Uye led credential committee for the peaceful conduct of the election while applauding members for conducting themselves properly during the election.
Alongside the Assistant National Secretary, Mr. Gbemiga Bamidele advised members to leave above sentiments and issues raised during the electioneering exercise but joined hands with the new executive to allow them deliver on their promises.
In his post election speech, Mr. Albert assured members of better days ahead, stressing that he would build on the already established infrastructure in the Council Secretariat Complex and make the place a delight for journalists in the state and visitors.
According to him, the Union in the next three years of his leadership will witness robust engagements that would include training and retraining of members in order to build their capacity in the practice.
While thanking members for the confidence reposed in him for the second time and other members of the state working committee, he also appealed to all to join hands with the executive for the union to forge ahead positively.

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