Veteran journalist and media practitioner, Mr. Dele Ailemen has commended the current leadership of the Edo State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, for the successes it recorded in just one year of its administration.
He gave the commendation at an occasion to mark one year in office of the executive.
The one year anniversary celebration was part of activities marking the 2022 Edo NUJ Press Week.
Mr. Ailemen who was a past chairman of the union in the defunct Bendel State and chairman of the occasion, specifically thanked chairman of Edo NUJ, Mr. Festus Alenkhe for introducing cooperative society for members of the union, noting that the development would improve on the wellbeing of journalists.
He equally commended him for attracting stable electricity supply to the NUJ Press Centre and for other progress he has made towards taking the union to greater height.
While calling on journalists in the state to live up to expectation, Mr. Ailemen implored the Edo NUJ leadership to remain firm on its position that it would not allow any part of the union’s land to be ceded to any individual, organization or government.
“The union’s property is our pride, and we must not allow our property to be taken over by anyone”, he emphasized.
Earlier, chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State council, Mr. Festus Alenkhe expressed his resolve to ensure that no part of the union’s land is taken over by anyone.
The media was recently awash of reports that the Obaseki led Edo State Government intend to take over Edo NUJ land and demolish its building.
Mr. Alenkhe, who used the occasion to highlight his achievements so far in office, stated that he has achieved 80% of his electioneering campaign promises and expressed the hope that the remaining 20% would be accomplished within the next year.
Some of the achievements of the current Edo NUJ leadership are: 24 hours power supply to the press centre, setting up of Edo NUJ cooperative society, facelift of NUJ secretariat complex and hosting of NUJ NEC meeting/Tax Conference.
Other speakers at the event called on the leadership of the union not to relent in its efforts at boosting the capacities of its members and developing non-human infrastructure.
The one year anniversary of the current executive of Edo NUJ featured presentation of awards to deserving personalities and certificates of service to past Edo NUJ chairmen.
Apart from Mr. Dele Ailemen, other past chairmen of the union present at the event were Mr. Godwin Erhahon, Deacon Ralph Okhiria and Mr. Mike Aladenika.
The event also witnessed launch of a book in memory of late chief Anthony Enahoro, launch of Edo NUJ newspaper and launch of the Royal Chronicle; a publication on the activities of the Benin monarch by the Edo journalists.
