19 November 2022 News Corner 1818 Views

Starpost Express Editor, Nwanguma Emerges New Imo NUJ Chairman

By ThankGod Emeh…

The Editor of Owerri based Tabloid, Starpost Express Newspaper, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwanguma, has emerged the new Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council.

The election which is widely adjudged as peaceful and fair election took place at the new NUJ Secretariat, New Owerri, Imo state on Saturday November 19, 2022.

The new Chairman of Imo Council, Comrade Nwanguma emerged after his predecesor Chief Christopher Akaraonye stepped down from the contest, stating that the election for the post being between himself and his beloved son ought to change the narrative of “sit-tight syndrome” and as well as put an end to the “do or die politics” witnessed over the years.

R-L: Mr Longinus Anyanwu–Auditor; Mr Emma Odibo–Vice Chairman; Mrs Treasure Ihechi Nwama–Secretary; Mr Ifeanyi Nwanguma–Chairman; Mr Emmanuel Ifesinachi–VP South East and Mr Eze Adiuku–South East Zonal Secretary.

Mrs Treasure Ihechi Nwama of State Information Chapel defeated the Incumbent Secretary of IBC Chapel, Comrade Juliet Dim with 7 votes. She garned 26 votes while Juilet Dim got 19 votes out of 45 votes cast.

The Managing Editor of Eastern Update, Comrade Emma Odibo returned unopposed as Vice Chairman.

Equally, Comrade Longinus Anyanwu of Hero Newspaper Chapel was returned unopposed as Auditor.

According to the Electoral Committee Chairman, Francis Ebonugwo, “The National leadership of the NUJ directed that Other Elective positions of Asistant Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer positions of the Council shall be duly conducted in a fortnight”

Inaugurating the new Executive of Imo NUJ, the Vice President for South East, Comrade Emmanuel Ifesinachi with the South East Zonal Secretary, Comrade Eze Adiuku charged the New Executive to uphold the virtues of the Journalism profession in the state and carry the Union to greater heights.

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of Imo NUJ, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwanguma expressed joy over the confidence reposed in him.

He thanked the former Chairman, Chief Akaraonye for outrightly endorsing him for the election hence stepping down for him.

Comrade Nwanguma assured to continue the good works of his predecessor stating that he will lead the union into “Total Recovery” of all lost glory.

“I am short of words; first of all, I want to thank the National President and National Secretary for their efforts to ensure that we have a peaceful and transparent election. I equally thank the zonal Vice President and Secretary for their efforts in ensuring that we have a fair election in Imo Council”

Nwanguma added that “Imo Council is United. I want to assure you my brothers and sisters that I will continue from where the immediate past Chairman stopped”

“And we are going to put efforts to ensure that we have one United NUJ in Imo state. I call on everybody to keep aside every personal differences, come back and join hands with us to have one NUJ”

“Let me use this Opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the past NUJ Chairman, Chief Christopher Akaraonye; He remains my father in Imo Politics; for taking the pains in endorsing him. …I promise to always consult him”

Earlier in his speech, the former Chairman of the Union, Chief Akaraonye thanked journalists in the state for all the support given him and the past Executives and called on them to extend the gestures towards the new Chairman and Excutives.

Akaraonye who recognized the new Chairman as his beloved son prayed for greater success in his tenure.

“I appeal to you people to give the same support you gave to me and my Excutives during my tenure; I want you to give it to my people so that this Union will continue to be thicker and thicker. God bless you all”