L-R: Member Credential Committee, Affiong Ndem; Treasurer, Achiane Adams; Vice Chairman, Sunday Inah; Chairman, Archibong Bassey; Zone F Vice President, Opakah Dokubo; Chairman, Credential Committee, Florence Olouhu; Secretary, Mike Abang; Auditor, Benedine Tete Anam; Assist Secretary, Kingsley Agim and Secretary, Credential Committee, Ubon Ekanem.
By Ita Williams, Calabar
Comrade Archibong Bassey of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been re-elected unopposed as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council.
The re-election took place during the 2025 Triennial Delegates Conference held on Wednesday, July 16, at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar.
Five other members of the union’s executive council (EXCO) were also returned unopposed for another three-year term ending in 2028.
Others re-elected include Comrade Sunday Inah of NTA as Vice Chairman, Comrade Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary, Comrade Kingsley Agim and Comrade Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary and Treasurer respectively, and Comrade Benedine Tete Anam of FRCN as Auditor.
NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, was represented by Zone F Vice President, Comrade Opakah Dokubo, while Dr. Brenda Akpan, the first President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), chaired the conference.
In her speech, Akpan stated that, “I implore every journalist to contribute their quota to the success of the new executive because in the final analysis, it is success for us all, as well as for the state under the able leadership of our dear governor, Dr. Prince Bassey Edet Otu. She said leadership is not about being in charge, it is about taking care of those in your charge”
Barrister Olive Onah administered the oaths of office and allegiance.
Dokubo praised the peaceful conduct of the election, urging the new EXCO to remain united and member-focused.
Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Erasmus Ekpang, lauded the union’s unity and pledged continued government support.
“It’s better to come unopposed. I believe one day, this council will be the best in the country,” he said.
Other prominent guests, including Comrade Timothy Ogban Akwaji, Comrade Nsa Gill, and Comrade Samuel Egbala, opined that; “You don’t change a winning team,” while encouraging the EXCO to surpass previous achievements.
In her acceptance remarks, Bassey thanked members for their trust. “Our first term was a trial period. We will improve what we did right and work on what we didn’t,” she said.
She called for reconciliation and collaboration. “Push me forward. Don’t tear me down. Share your ideas, not rumours,” she pleaded, praying for humility and wisdom.
The EXCO, PillarToday gathered, was first elected on May 9, 2025, to complete the term of Comrade Nsa Gill, who was appointed Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu.
A keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Patrick Ene Okon on the theme, “AI: Ethical Implications for Journalism Practice in Nigeria.”
He emphasized responsible use of AI in journalism, warning that over-reliance on algorithms could damage the credibility of human journalists.
