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-         As Odogwu Appoints Several Committees For Efficient Administration

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Senior Pastor of Deeper Love Assembly International NUJ Complex Awka, Pastor Joseph Nwabueze, has charged the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Chapter to embrace love and unity as principles for progress.

He gave the charge while conducting dedication prayers for the newly inaugurated Exco during the post-election February NUJ Congress at the Godwin Ezeemo NUJ State Council Secretariat, Awka. The body welcomed a new administration after a period of electioneering campaigns that witnessed bickering, bitterness, campaigns of calumny, peddling of half-truths or falsehoods, and exaggerated misrepresentation of facts as opponents slugged it out before journalists made their choice to return Dr. Emeka Odogwu for a second term in office as Chairman.

In his sermon titled "Put Love Above All Things" (Col 3:13-14), the prelate said that love should be placed above all other values in life, stating that if love leads, other desires and aspirations of life would eventually fall into place or be achieved in the long run. "Where there is love and forgiveness, there will be progress, harmony, and cooperation, and there is nothing the group wants to achieve that cannot be achieved."

Moreover, the State Chairman, Odogwu, who professed that he has forgiven all wrongs against his person, urged others to do the same. He insisted that neither he nor any NUJ member was above the NUJ body, extending a hand of fellowship to those who lost in the election. He resolved to break his own records and attract more value, human capital, and infrastructural development to the union. "I thank everyone. We are one big family."

Odogwu urged every chapel still owing check-off dues to pay up, adding that those NUJ chapels due for election should put their house in order and elect their officers before next month's Congress.

The Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Youth Empowerment Programme, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, who came to pledge solidarity with the union after a successful NUJ election, urged journalists to uphold professionalism, objectivity, and balanced reporting when writing their news reports.

Omenugha further enumerated the various achievements of the Soludo-led administration, ranging from free education, free antenatal and delivery services, the "1 Youth 2 Skills" program, free distribution and planting of improved seedlings, employment of teachers and health workers, massive infrastructural development, and road networks. He described His Excellency as a youth-friendly governor who deserves a second term.

Also, the NUJ Matriarch, Prof. Stella Okunna, who delivered a financial goodwill message from Valentine Ozigbo to celebrate with the union on the successful NUJ election, further advised journalists to be thorough whenever writing any report for publication to avoid grammatical errors.

Highlights of the Congress included the appointment of Joseph Egbeocha as Caretaker Chairman of ABS Chapel, Dr. Stanley Onunkwo as Political Affairs Committee Chairman, among several other committee chairmen, secretaries, and members for a prospective robust administrative era. Additionally, 20 bags of rice donated by the House of Representatives Member for Awka North and South, Hon. Lilian Orogbu, were distributed.