…urges correspondents chapel to retract allegations
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue State Council, has passed a vote of confidence on its Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, after dismissing allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the Correspondents Chapel and members of the Government House Press Crew.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s congress held on Monday at the NUJ House, Makurdi. The congress was presided over by Comrade Ugber and attended by members from various chapels across the state.
After extensive deliberations on issues affecting the union and matters of public interest, the congress resolved to maintain a cordial working relationship with the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula. The decision followed interventions by the NUJ National Secretariat and critical stakeholders within and outside the union. The council said the resolution was reached “for the overriding interest of peace, unity, mutual respect and the sustainable development of Benue State.”
The congress also welcomed the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Benue State during her official visit to commission projects executed under the Renewed Hope Initiative and projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Alia.
On the allegations against the state chairman, the congress said it carefully reviewed the claims and found them to be “unsubstantiated, baseless and false.” Members unanimously exonerated Comrade Ugber and passed a resounding vote of confidence on him, citing his “exemplary leadership, dedication, commitment to the welfare of members and unwavering efforts towards strengthening the union.”
Consequently, the congress called on the Correspondents Chapel to retract its communiqué containing the allegations and ensure the retraction is published on all platforms where the original statement was circulated, “in the interest of fairness, reconciliation and the unity of the union.”
The meeting also received a goodwill message from former council chairman, Mrs. Joyce Bur-Akuraga, who expressed gratitude to NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Abdul Yahya, National Chairperson of NAWOJ, former NAWOJ chairperson Mrs. Fatima Abdulkarim, Comrade Ugber and union members for their prayers, support and solidarity during her recovery from an accident in Abuja.
In a sober moment, the congress expressed deep sadness over the demise of former Benue NUJ chairman, Comrade Terlumun Nyifan, after a protracted illness, and Mrs. Juliet Fiase of the People’s Summit Chapel, who died after a brief illness. The union commiserated with their families and prayed to God Almighty to grant the departed eternal rest and give the families strength to bear the losses.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Emmanuel Akula, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee; Comrade Msoo Gyakpo, Secretary; and Comrade Winifred Ehimhem, Member.
