By Akudiang Comfort, Jos
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, has elected a new set of executives to pilot the affairs of the chapel for the next three years.
Douglas Francis of Arise Television emerged as Chairman, while John Farionla of Channels Television was elected Vice Chairman. Comfort Pius of Daylight Reporters was elected Treasurer.
The newly elected executives were sworn in by Barrister F. P. Magaji, a Commissioner for Oaths, who charged them to discharge their duties in accordance with the constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The election, which was initially scheduled for July 27, was postponed following the resignation of the Credentials Committee led by Mr. Josiah Buzun.
The development necessitated the constitution of a three-member electoral committee comprising former chairmen of the chapel.
The committee was headed by the current National Auditor of the NUJ, Mrs. Tongnan Dada Bawa of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), with Mr. Yemi Kosoko of ThisDay Newspapers and Mr. Isaac Shobayo of the Nigerian Tribune as members.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman, Douglas Francis, pledged to reunite members of the chapel and appealed to aggrieved members to join hands with the new leadership in moving the chapel forward.
Francis assured members that his administration would prioritise professionalism and the welfare of journalists while creating an atmosphere conducive to the effective practice of journalism.
The NUJ Secretary, Plateau State Council, Mary Dontru, who supervised the inauguration, urged the new executives to work in harmony and ensure that their administration benefits all members of the chapel.
Similarly, Isaac Shobayo and Pam Musa, Vice Chairman of the NUJ Plateau State Council, appealed for calm among members and urged the new leadership to carry everyone along in the administration of the chapel.
The inauguration ceremony was conducted peacefully, with security operatives of the Nigeria Police Force providing security at the venue.
