By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Members of the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Akwa Ibom yesterday elected Comrade Anthony Bassey of the Nation Newspapers as its new chairman.
Bassey was returned unopposed as he was the only candidate that contested the coveted position, taking over from Comrade Idongesit Ashemeri of the Daily Independent who served out her tenure after a little over four and half years in office.
Others elected officers include Comrade Isaiah Eka of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Vice Chairman, Comrade Udeme Utip of Tribune as Secretary, Comrade Lovina Emole of National Ambassador as Assistant Secretary, Comrade Iniobong Ekponta of Leadership newspaper as Treasurer and Comrade Emeka Samuel of Nigerian Pilot as Financial Secretary.
In his post-election speech, the new chairman assured members of improved welfare and a more united chapel with transparency and accountability as the focal point of his administration.
Bassey promised to take the Correspondents Chapel being the flagship chapel of the NUJ, to higher grounds, expressing deep seated gratitude to the Stakeholders of the chapel for standing behind his emergence as the new chairman of the Chapel.
He pledged to actively carry members along in all NUJ activities and to laise with every necessary governmental and non-governmental ministries, agencies and parastatals to ensure free and unhindered flow of information for the betterment of the society.
The new Chairman had earlier in his 10 Point agenda assured members of improved welfare, more capacity trainings, installation of free internet facilities in the chapel, robust editorial engagements, abolishment of all obnoxious rules that are anti progress, ensuring high sense of transparency and accountability, synergizing with relevant agencies among others.
He also commended the ELECO for ensuring a seamless and crisis free transition in the chapel.
Among those who witnessed the event include Akparawa James Edet, Permanent Secretary Ministry of information, The state chairman of NUJ Comrade Amos Etuk represented by his vice Comrade Margaret Moore, State Secretary of NUJ Comrade Dominic Akpan, Chairman Federated Chapel Comrade Nsibiet John among others.
