Ilechukwu Emerges Imo Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, has elected Mr. Chinazo Ilechukwu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as its new Chairman.
Mr. Ilechukwu secured 17 votes, surpassing his nearest competitor, Mr. Everest Ezihe of The Authority Newspaper, who obtained 11 votes, while Mr. Amby Uneze of ThisDay Newspaper received a single vote.
The election was conducted at the NUJ Secretariat in Owerri, following the accreditation of 29 eligible voters.
In his address to members prior to the voting process, the Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Collins Osuji of The Guardian Newspaper, who presided over the election, implored contestants and members to adhere to the election rules and to refrain from treating the exercise as a do-or-die affair.
Mr. Osuji emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that the number of votes cast must align with the number of accredited voters.
He also encouraged members to vote according to their conscience.
Voting began shortly after the accreditation process, and the votes were counted immediately following the exercise.
Upon the collation of results, Mr. Osuji declared Mr. Ilechukwu the winner of the election.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Ilechukwu praised the chapel members for conducting what he described as a peaceful, free, and transparent election.
He expressed gratitude to his colleagues for the confidence entrusted to him through the mandate given.
He mentioned that during the campaign period, he consciously avoided engaging in negative campaigns or character assassination to maintain unity within the chapel, noting that leadership ultimately originates from God.
The newly elected chairman extended an olive branch to his fellow contestants and all chapel members, advocating for unity and collaborative efforts to reposition the body.
He committed to an open-door and inclusive administration aimed at restoring the chapel’s integrity and credibility, while also assuring members of transparency and accountability in financial management.
The Chairman of the NUJ in Imo State, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwanguma, who later inaugurated Mr. Ilechukwu, congratulated him on his victory and urged chapel members to support the new leadership.
Additionally, one of the contestants, Mr. Amby Uneze, congratulated Mr. Ilechukwu on his victory and assured him of no resentment toward the election outcome.
He encouraged the new chairman to involve all members and prioritize their welfare.
The bye-election of the Correspondents’ Chapel was necessitated by the expulsion of the former chairman, Mr. Nonso Alozie of Vanguard Newspaper, due to allegations of financial impropriety.
