Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has congratulated Mr. Chinonso Alozie, a correspondent of Vanguard newspaper in the state, on his election as Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel in Imo.
Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor’s chief press secretary, said in a statement on Friday that the governor was happy to hear that Alozie emerged as chairman from a process that was transparent, competitive, and represented the collective wishes of his colleagues.
The governor admonished Alozie to work hard to uphold the integrity and ethics of his profession and to work in synergy with his colleagues to achieve the desired goal of serving the public well, including their state of domicile.
He assured the new executive of his readiness to always support the media in their quest to mirror and serve society positively, and he urged all practitioners in the state to see the emphasis on development journalism as the new code to help the public.
“I congratulate you on your emergence and urge you to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everyone along, including those who contested the same position with you,” the governor said.
Also, the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, in a statement by his media adviser, Ikenna Onuoha, congratulated Alozie and other newly elected officials of the Chapel.
The PDP scribe, however, charged those who contested but did not win to support the winners to achieve a common goal of optimal productivity.
President-General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Mr. Goodluck Ibem, while congratulating the newly elected officials, noted that the Chapel had decided, through the ballot, to hand over leadership to the youth.
He advised Gov. Hope Uzodinma to create an enabling environment for journalists to keep carrying out their legitimate duties.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alozie, on Thursday, emerged as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, in a keenly contested election to replace the former Chairman, Mr. Chris Njoku of The Nation newspaper.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Peter Okolie of the News Agency of Nigeria, said Mr. Alozie polled the highest number of votes in a transparent exercise where the NUJ in Imo State, represented by the Secretary, Mrs. Treasure Ihechi-Nwamah, monitored the conduct of the election.
Mr. Alozie, who emerged alongside five other officials, most of whom were returned unopposed, scored 20 votes to beat Mrs. Angela Nkwo-Akpolu of the Leadership, who scored 11 votes.
The newly elected officials include Mr. Sabi Elemba of the Business Day, who defeated Mrs. Charity Wins of the Daily Asset with 20 votes against 11 to emerge as the treasurer of the chapel.
Others were Mr. Collins Osuji (The Guardian) as Vice Chairman; Mr. Victor Nwachukwu (News Agency of Nigeria) as Secretary; Mr. Oliver Joseph (Arise Television) as Financial Secretary; and Mr. Basil Ukwuegbu (National Light) as Internal Auditor. (NAN)
