DR ODOGWU EMERGES NUJ CHAIRMAN IN ANAMBRA
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
A lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Emeka Odogwu, has emerged Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council.
In a keenly contested election held at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka, Dr. Odogwu polled 110 votes to win his rival, Mr. Maduabuchi Onwumelu of FIDES Newspapers, Awka, who got 103 votes.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Secretary of the Union, Mr. Emmanuel Udeaha, who also vied for the Chairmanship post, was absent and polled zero vote in the peaceful election.
Announcing the result of the election, the Chairman of the State NUJ Election Screening Committee and former Southeast Vice Chairman of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Comrade Victor Agusiobo, said a total of 320 journalists were registered for the election while 213 participaited and duly accredited
Comrade Agusiobo called on the newly elected executive to carry the people along in all their activities in order to move the council forward.
In an acceptance speech, the new Chairman, D.r Emeka Odogwu, said he would consciously live up to his campaign promises, even as he enjoined other contestants and members of the union to join hands with him in moving the council to a greater height.
Earlier, the outgoing Acting Chairman of NUJ, Anambra State Council, Comrade Francis Ekpone, had commended members and contestants for their mature conduct during the poll, even as he handed over all the council property under his care to the new executive.
Also elected was Mrs. Ngozi Obilieri of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Chapel, who emerged the Vice Chairman with a total of 142 votes, defeating Mrs. Betty Onuchukwu of the Pointer nNewspapers, who pooled 71 votes.
Other executive members of the union were elected unopposed.
In an interview, one the Chairmanship candidates, Mr. Maduabuchi Onwumelu, who congratulated the winner, called on his supporters to rally round the new executive as he was willing to contribute to the overall development of the council.