NUJ: Taraba Council inaugurates new officials

Jethro Yerga, Jalingo

The Taraba State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), has inaugurated new set of officers to piolate affairs of the Union for yet another three years tenure.

The inauguration which followed an election which was conducted through open ballot system at the Press Center Jalingo, has Comr. Mathew Eliud Jen of Information Chapel as the chairman of the council.

Adamu Also of Nigeran Television Authrity NTA Chapel was returned elected as the Vice Chairman, Apollos Dennis of TarabaTelevision TTV as Secretary while Jethro S. Yerga of Worldview Magazine Chapel, was returned elected as Assistant Secretary of the Council.

A cross section of the new exco, NUJ, Taraba State Council, taking oath of office

Similarly, Hilda Adebayo of Taraba Broadcasting CorporationTSBS Chapel, has been returned elected as the Treasurer, Sylvanus Viashima of Correspondent Chapel, Financial Secretary and Victoria Roland of TTV and Chapel as the Auditor respectively.

Announcing the result of the election, Mr. Justin Tyopusuu, the chairman of the credentials committee, noted that all the contestants were unopposed and so returned elected, except the position of the Secretary which was contested by Mr Apollos and Irakunya Ezekiel all of TTV Chapel. In the keenly contest, Denis Apollos scored 64 votes to defeat Mr Irakunya Tapu who got 57 votes.

Speaking shortly after administering oath of office on the new executive members, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comr. Chris Isikuzo, congratulated the new executive members and charged them to uphold the constitution of the union and leave up to their responsibilities

The newly inaugurated Assistant Secretary, Comr. Jethro S. Yerga takes a warm handshake from the outgoing chairman, NUJ, Taraba State Council, Comr. David Nya

The National President who was represented by the North East Vice President of NUJ, Zare Baba, frowned at the unusual policy of one tenure system of leadership of the union been observed by the Taraba State Council, describing the act as allien to the constitution of the union.

He explained that the constitution of the union has allowed leaders of the union at all levels to serve for two tenures of office.

“So, if Mathew Eliud Jen, who is now your new chairman serves you well, you can re-elect him to continue and serve for another tenure as it is done in other states”. He added.

The new executive members of NUJ, Taraba State Council pose in a snapshot with the representative of the National President and other National delegates shortly after the inauguration

The President applauded the relationship that is existing between the Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas and Journalists in the state and the giant developmental strides and mind blowing policies the governor has put in place for the state just few days in office and called on Journalists in the state to give the governor the needed support to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Mr. Jen in his acceptance speech, commended members of the Council, especially stake holders of the Council, “the wise men”, for taking their time to put in place the new executive and pledged that the Council, under his leadership would justify the confidence reposed in him and his exco by running an open and all inclusive government.

He pledged that his government would be commited to the welfare of members and development of the union and called on members to join hands with the new exco to lift the Council to a greater height, maintaining that the victory was not just a victory for the new exco, but a victory for all members of the Council.