Excitement, Hearty Cheers As CROSSJOF Elects New Officers
- Elders push for serious watchdog roles
BY EDMOND ODOK – It was all hearty cheers and excitement galore as the Cross River State Journalists’ Forum (CROSSJOF), Abuja elected an eight-member Executive Committee to manage its affairs for the next three years.
In an election that took place at the FCT NUJ Press Centre, Utako District, Abuja, the newly elected officers received an overwhelming endorsement from CROSSJOF members, with Comrade Ignatius Ushie emerging as the Chairman while Lulu Bankong and Francisca Ogar sailed through as the Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.
Also aboard the executive train are Idara Ukpanyang – Treasurer; Godwin Tawo – Assistant Secretary; Wofai Ibor – Financial Secretary; Leonard Oru – Welfare Secretary; and Nten Ekpang as the Public Relations Officer (PRO).
Presenting the Certificates of Return to the winners, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Cobham Nsa urged the elected officers to justify the massive support and confidence reposed on them by the Forum members.
He further encouraged them to work hard at repositioning CROSSJOF for a new lease of life and glory days going forward.
Also offering counsel to the new executives, some elders of the Forum urged them to be diligent in promoting the media’s role as society’s watchdog, especially as it relates to good governance in Cross River state.
In his intervention, immediate past chairman of the Forum, Gabriel Odu urged the new officers to leverage on the good foundation laid by the former Executives to take CROSSJOF to greater heights.
On his part, Don Bassey Awassam harped on the need for members to be associated with credible media houses in order to remain relevant in the profession.
This is as he also challenged the new Executives to have robust engagement with the State administration and political leadership to ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
Also speaking at the occasion, Omini Oden described the Forum as an important vehicle for promoting unity, urging members and the Executive Committee to stay focused on fostering the spirit of teamwork and professionalism within the body.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Comrade Ushie appreciated the members for the confidence reposed in his team to lead the Forum.
Pledging to give priority attention to members’ welfare during his tenure, Comrade Ushie solicited the support and cooperation of members to reposition the Forum for the greater good of all.
CROSSJOF comprises journalists of Cross River State extraction currently plying their trade in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Forum’s Congress had in March 2022, inaugurated a three-man Interim Executive/Electoral Committee, led by Cobham Nsa, to organise its elections.
The Committee had Margarete Larry-Abang of FRCN as the Secretary with John Friday Ebriku, Special Assistant on Print Media to the Cross River State Governor, as a member.
