The 7th triennial conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council has birthed new helmsmen to man the union for the next three years.
Mr. Amos Etuk was elected as the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council after polling 275 votes.
Etuk of the Consolidated Chapel defeated his closest rival, Mr Joseph Robert who scored 156 votes at the union’s elections on Friday, August 2 at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo.
This is the second time Joseph Robert of the State Information Chapel has failed to clinch the chairmanship position having lost to the outgone Chairman, Patrick Albert of The Pioneer Chapel in the 2016 elections.
Other chairmanship candidates were Comrade Franklyn Isong who got 11 votes; Saviour Ekpe, 19 votes while Aniefiok Udonquak who had earlier stepped down was given one vote.
Mrs. Nene Afia of the State Information Chapel went unopposed as the council’s Vice Chairman.
In the keenly contested election, Dominic Akpan of Pioneer Chapel polled 242 against 182 votes by Edem Okon of Information Chapel to become the council’s secretary. Edet Ikotidem of AKBC- Radio Service also lost after garnering 37 votes.
Mfon Hanson of Federated Chapel scored 308 votes to trounce Itoro Bassey of Insight Chapel who got 152 votes. Hanson was elected as the council’s Assistant Secretary.
Anietie Esu of Consolidated Chapel got 238 votes while John Elijah of Insight scored 221 votes. Esu was elected Auditor.
Emmanuel Silas of Federated Chapel returned unopposed is the Financial Secretary.
Mrs. Imaikop Robert of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC- Radio Service) polled 290 votes against 172 scored by Patrick Titus of The Correspondents Chapel to emerge as a treasurer.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has congratulated the newly elected NUJ Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council, Amos Etuk on his election.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Emmanuel praised the peaceful and orderly manner the election was conducted and pledged his administration’s readiness to work in close collaboration with the newly elected NUJ EXCO.
“Be rest assured of our willingness to continue to work with you and support your efforts as we collectively tell the Akwa Ibom story of peace, prosperity and development.
“We appreciate the role the media has played in deepening our democracy and we know we can always count on you as partners in our developmental strides. Once again, congratulations and God’s speed.”
