NANS Commends Delta NUJ, Passes Vote of Confidence on Comrade Ikeogwu-Led Executives

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council on Thursday, October 25, 2018 received a confidence vote and an unparalleled commendation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee, Delta State Axis.

This commendation according to NANS, is in recognition of the non-compromised reporting and balanced journalism being practiced by Journalists in the State which they said have been fostered by the distinguished leadership of the NUJ council in the State.

Receiving the Certificate of Commendation during a courtesy visit by the Delta State NANS executives on the State Working Committee (SWC) of the NUJ, Delta State, the NUJ State Chairman, Comr Michael Ikeogwu visibly overwhelmed by the rare honour, expressed gratitude to the Students’ body for diligently following the proceedings of journalists in the State and assured on behalf of Delta State NUJ to uphold the professional ethics binding the practice of journalism.

“This is the first union that is coming openly to commend NUJ for the good work journalists have been doing in the State. Most times, what you hear is that the journalists are not doing well or that their report is tilted towards one direction but nobody is looking at the good aspects that the journalists are doing setting agenda and painstakenly working day and night to keep the people of the State informed,  entertained and educated. So, I want to say that your decision to visit us today is not misplaced.

“Let me also use this medium to thank the leadership of NANS in Delta, even when your leadership was inuagurated few weeks ago, it goes to show that you have been following the track record of our administration. It is a plus to this exco and the commendation certificate is to the entire membership of NUJ Delta State because if they are not doing well, you wouldn’t have been able to identify that the leadership of NUJ is doing well.”

While assuring NANS of an unlloyed partnership, Ikeogwu said, “You have taken a bold step towards partnering with NUJ Delta State Council as you requested. I want to give you the assurance that, anytime, anyday that you need the NUJ, our door is open to NANS.”

The NUJ Chairman also used the opportunity to sympathize with NANS over the ugly incidence which claimed the life of a Student at the Federal College of Eductation (Technical), and prayed that justice will prevail at the end.

“We want to also sympathize with NANS in Delta over the incident that happened at the Federal College of Eductation here in Asaba that led to the death of one of your members. It was a sad story because as former students, we know the pain that students pass through each time such a thing happens. Intimidations will be there, the State apparatus may try to shield the allege culprit but is our prayer that justice will be delivered to NANS to avenge the unwarranted death of your member. So accept our condolences.”

Ikeogwu further commended the State Chairman of NANS for his doggedness, noting that his leadership is a great choice for the Students’ body and prayed God to grant him wisdom to pilot the affairs of NANS in Delta State and reignite the vision on which NANS was established.

Leaderships of NUJ Delta State Council and Delta State NANS/JCC in Group Photograph

“Your choice as the leader of NANS now, is appropriate and our prayer is that, God will give you wisdom to pilot the affairs of NANS in Delta State, to take it back to its former glory where NANS as the mouth piece of Students’ body is recognized, respected and given her pride of place in the scheme of things by the government of the day both locally and nationally.”

Earlier, Comrade Dio Oghale Emeka Rex in his speech, emphasized that the association as a non partisan organization is poised on restructuring and repositioning of the Nigerian students movement to prioritize students welfare and fundamental rights and advocating for good governance. Adding that, the leadership is very ready to partner and work in synergy with NGOs, and other related bodies who have same positive ideology with us in achieving our common goals of emancipation.

“Sir, we have come to familiarize and fraternize with you as the most sensitive and reliable press house as we commend the NUJ Delta State chapter for uncompromised reporting and balanced journalism.”

“The leadership as a progressive and apolitical organization, having in recent years worked with the NUJ Delta State Chapter, the NUJ Delta State chapter have overtime remain the most potent partners with students movement for the achievement of reasonable welfare for students across Nigeria.”

Continuing, the Students’ leader pressed that, going forward, as a students organization, inline with delivering our campaign promises to our students and upholding the charter of demands of our noble association NANS, we use this same avenue to solicit for the following from the NUJ leadership;

“A smooth and cordial relationship between the NUJ and the Union; Request the strategic support and partnership with the association on our proposed student security summit; andwWe want to passionately call the attention of NUJ Delta State chapter to our demand to the government of Delta State to review upwardly the percentage allocated to education in the 2019 budget and to introduce free education for basic and secondary school in Delta State.”

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the Certificate of Commendation to the Leadership of the Delta State NUJ which was received by the State Chairman, Comr. Michael Ikeogwu in company of the Vice Chairman, Comr. Patrick Ochei; Secretary,Comr. Churchill Oyowe; Auditor, Comr. Salvation Ogono; and Asst. Secretary, Comr. Celestine Afakobah.

NANS Executives present at the visit, were the Delta State Chairman, NANS/JCC, Comrade Dio Oghale Emeka Rex; Dir. Of Welfare and Public Compliant, Prince Augustine; Financial Secretary, Ugbede Promise and SUG President, FCE(T) Asaba, Comrade Oso Ethel.