Vanguard Correspondent, Steve Oko, Emerges Chairman Of Abia NUJ Correspondents Chapel

The Abia State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspapers, Deacon Steve Oko, has emerged Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council.

Oko, a seasoned journalist, was elected unopposed during the chapel’s triennial conference held on Friday at its secretariat, located at No. 1 Ojike/Bende Road, opposite Umuahia North Local Government Headquarters.

Other members of the new executive include Comrade Henrietta Ashikodi of Statesman Newspapers and Comrade Imo Thomas of Standard Times, who was elected Treasurer.

While inaugurating the new leadership, Abia NUJ Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye, congratulated the team and charged them to help reposition journalism practice in the state.

Describing the Correspondents Chapel as the “engine room” of journalism, Asonye urged members to uphold the ethics of the profession and ensure they leave the chapel better than they met it. He expressed confidence in the ability of the new executives to deliver on their mandate.

In his acceptance speech, Deacon Oko thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and promised not to disappoint.

He expressed concern over the waning respect for the chapel and pledged to work towards restoring its dignity, prioritizing members’ welfare, and strengthening harmonious relations with other chapels and the NUJ Council.

Oko also called on journalists in the state to leverage their agenda-setting role to lead sensitization campaigns for the ongoing voter registration exercise, urging them to rekindle public confidence following the disenchantment that trailed the 2023 general elections.

The new chairman commended the immediate past chairman, Chief Obinna Ibe, for his achievements, promising to build on his legacies.

Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Comrade Uche Nwosu, disclosed that all candidates emerged through a credible process in line with the NUJ constitution.

In his valedictory speech, Chief Ibe expressed satisfaction over the peaceful transition of power and wished the new leadership a successful tenure.

NUJ Vice Chairman, Comrade Chukwuma Emere, and State Secretary, Comrade Ikechukwu Onuegbu, were among the special guests who witnessed the election.