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Mrs Eme Offiong, Chairman, Cross River NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel
By Akpan David, Calabar
A Table Tennis friendly was organised in collaboration with The Offiong Edem Foundation to mark the leadership of the first female Correspondents’ Chapel chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State one year in office.
Mrs Eme Offiong of Voice of Nigeria (VON) had emerged the first female chairman of the Cross River State Nigeria Union of Journalists Correspondents’ Chapel in October 2021 to lead five other men as Exco members in a 28-man chapel.
Renowned Olympic champion, Offiong Edem, who plays professional Table Tennis in Spain and runs a Table Tennis academy and Foundation in Calabar, allowed her mentees, themselves budding stars, led by Mr Usen Umoh, Vice Chairman of Table Tennis Association in the state, to a demonstration match.
The one year anniversary celebration was held at the Ernest Etim Bassey NUJ Press Centre in Calabar and was graced by array of journalists from local and International news outlets as well as other invited guests.
Members of the chapel took part in the Table Tennis engagement as well as the games of draft, Ludo, amongst others, displaying deftness and championship qualities.
Treasurer of the Chapel, Mr George Odok of News Agency of Nigeria beat other contenders, emerging this year’s Table Tennis champion.
Mr Eyo Charles of Daily Trust newspapers, Clement James of The Telegraph newspaper and former Vice Chairman of the Chapel, Elder Idongesit Inyang were declared champions as they were unbeatable at the Draft game. Former champion, Bassey Inyang of ThisDay newspaper wished he was physically present to defend the title.
Current VC of the Chapel, Mr Joseph Kingston of Blueprint newspaper had dominated the Ludo game
Commissioner for sports in the state, Chief Ofu Aya was chairman of the 1st anniversary celebration. He commended the TT Friendly organised by the Chapel.
Director General of state primary healthcare development agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, represented by her Mobilisation Officer, spoke on the essence of physical exercise.
She urged Journalists to always make time to unwind, and commended the Eme Offiong led exco for the one year anniversary get-together.
Encouraging journalists to always give themselves time to exercise, another guest of honour, Usen Umoh commended Chapel members for giving Eme Offiong who is South-South Bureau chief of VON the needed supports and cooperation to succeed.
Chairman of the state NUJ Council, Comrade Gill Nsa of Nation newspaper who himself marked 100 days in office few days ago, represented by Council secretary, Solomon Azu of the state-owned Nigerian Chronicle, encouraged entrepreneurs and public spirited individuals to always collaborate with them.
He challenged other chapels in the state to emulate laudable example of the Correspondents’ Chapel.
He announced that the Cross River State NUJ will hold her Media Week events in November 2022 where aspects of sports would feature prominently.
Mr Mike Abang of BusinessDay newspaper was chairman of the planning committee. Other members of the committee were Augustina Todo of The Guardian and Christian Njoku of NAN. They had worked to the bone, ensuring that members and guests were abundantly entertained.
National vice president of Nigerian Guild of Editors, (East), Sam Egbala expressed happiness for the dexterity of the correspondents.
Speaking, Eme Offiong thanked God for using her presently as chairman to accomplish the first one year in office. She attributed the feat to God through her officials and members who do not see her as female.
