The Enugu State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for maintaining excellent relationship with labour unions in the state.
The Chairman of the NUJ in the state, Mr Rex Arum gave the commendation on Tuesday in Enugu during the inauguration of the executive members of the Correspondents Chapel.
Arum said that journalists in the state were experiencing a new lease in terms of cordial relationship with government under the current administration in the state.
He commended the governor for the fatherly role he played in resolving a crisis in the chapel, which he said had threatened relationships in the union.
“The State Executive Council of the NUJ is grateful to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. We will not forget in a hurry his timely intervention during the dark days which nearly crippled the chapel.
“His kind gesture towards members of the press is unprecedented and we will continue to partner with him to make the state better,” he said.
Arum said that the governor had also exhibited the same attributes in the administration of the state which had made the state peaceful and secure.
“We are happy that Ugwuanyi extended his administrative acumen to journalists in our dear state,” he said.
He charged the new executive members of the chapel and journalists in the state to uphold the constitution of the union as well as conform to ethical fundamentals of the profession.
Arum said that it was necessary for journalists to lead by example in order to be in a better stead to hold government accountable.
In a goodwill message, the South East Secretary of the NUJ, Mr Ken Ofoma commended the state council for insisting on following due process in resolving the problem in the chapel.
Ofoma said that officials of the zone would continue to support a just cause, adding that the constitution of the union was sacrosanct.
Responding on behalf of the newly elected officers, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr Emma Nweze thanked members of the union for the opportunity given them to serve.
Nweze said that his administration would neither be antagonistic nor fight old guards.
“We will be open to criticism and advice from members and will not deliberately create tension in the chapel,” Nweze said.
In a goodwill message, a former vice chairman of the chapel, Mr Regis Anukwuoji called on all aggrieved members of the chapel to rally the new leadership in order to move the union forward.
Other members of the new executive are Ifeoma Aka - Vice Chairman, Emmanuel Acha - Secretary, Raph Edeh - Treasurer, Maureen Ikpeama- Financial Secretary and Cletus Obi as Auditor.