By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – July in Cross River State comes with cold and so the cold is creeping onto the seat of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
As the state council hopes for a better representation, the veterans have decided to endorse Comrade Archibong Bassey (current chairman) to keep the fire burning in order to keep out the cold.
In a happy hour moment at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, on Friday, in Calabar, Comrade Anietie Akpan, former Bureau Chief of Guardian Newspaper, said the Bassey-led EXCO (Executive Council) has done marvellously well within a year.
Akpan who was speaking on behalf of the veteran journalists in the state, said: “I am very happy for this moment. This very young Exco has done very well within one year.
“We, collectively, should give them the mandate to go back and complete a three-year full package and deliver on the mandate they are supposed to deliver.
“They say if you walk alone, you’ll move fast but if you walk as a team, you’ll go very far.”
Declaring her intentions earlier, Comrade Bassey, current Chairman of the Council, said the journey within the last year has not been without challenges, but the achievements have overshadowed those challenges.
She pleaded for the council to give them (her EXCO) another three years to continue with their mandate, which they hope to improve on.
“Let us use this opportunity to let you know of our intentions. We want to lead this beautiful council again.
“During the past one year, it has been tasking, challenging but we have also achieved a lot.
“We’ve managed to touch over 20 projects. Imagine doing this in one year. If you give us one year, we will thrive.
“Please, give us another chance to do another three years. We will not fail you if you give us another opportunity,” she promised.
On his part, Sunny Inah, who deputises Bassey, said, “We cannot travel on this road alone. We need you, going forward.”
Bassey also inaugurated her election Campaign Committee, comprising Comrade Mike Akpang of FRCN as Director General (DG), as well as Comrade Chris Njoku of NAN, Comrade Paul Abel of NTA, Comrade Sunny Nku of Nigerian Chronicle, Comrade (Mrs) Lucy Akpet of CRBC, and Comrade Esther Okoi of Information Chapel, as members.
In his remark, the Campaign DG, Akpang, said, “From the very first day this EXCO was inaugurated, it has taken the right step forward and has shown that it can lead this council.
“The EXCO (Executive Council) started with training and retraining, and it has been success story after success story.
“Let me thank you all for the confidence you place in me. We’ll certainly discharge this responsibility to the latter.
“This EXCO have shown us clearly that they have a path their taking us, let us give them that opportunity to lead us.
“The records of the Campaign show that we can deliver.”
Recall that Comrade Bassey was elected (first female chairman) last year to complete the tenure of Comrade Nsa Gill, who was elected as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu.
Converseer reports that the election will be held on 16th July 2025.
