BY VICTOR BUORO – Umuahia, Abia State capital, was agog last weekend as the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Chris Isiguzo led members of his family, his campaign team, well-wishers and supporters to the Church of God Mission International for a Thanksgiving to God Almighty for his victory at the 7th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Union.
The Thanksgiving Service witnessed the coming together of Bishops of the Church from Delta, Enugu and Aba that preached and conducted the service in which Isiguzu, who is a Deacon of the Church presented a cow as part of his return appreciation to God, who he said saw to his victory in spite of the hurdles and landmines planted to pull down the foundation of the 59years old NUJ by some members who were determined to kill the Union at all cost.
He specifically hinged his re-election victory to God, Who he said made it possible, adding that the prayers of the men of God who interceded cannot be quantified as well.
The NUJ National President noted that the challenges he and members of his Campaign Team “Greater Heights Campaign Organisation” led by Mr. Amos Dunia faced were experiences that cannot be forgotten in a hurry, adding however that at the end, an overwhelming victory was achieved.
According to him; “The choice of Umuahia, the Abia State capital as venue for the 7th Triennial Delegates Conference by the highest decision making organ of the NUJ later turned out to be opposed by some of the same people that voted for it at the National Executive Council Meeting that took place in August in Abuja.
“They suddenly started a vicious campaign to the effect that Abia and the entire South East geopolitical zone was not safe for journalists to congregate. It was so intense that even some members of our campaign team became jittery and almost fell for the propaganda but, we stock to our position that it is one of the safest states in Nigeria.
“To the glory of God, we had a successful conference in which not a single journalist had a scratch neither did we record any negative story from any of the States’ delegate that attended the conference.
“As it turned out, Abia State which hosted the 7th Triennial Delegates Conference remains the safest state in terms of insecurity and conducive for investment and tourism.
“The plethora of court cases aimed at stopping the conference and pulling down the Union were unprecedented and such that were really difficult to understand and comprehend. The last one came barely five days to the Conference which means that the Union would find it difficult to continue with the leadership in place thus, a lacuna and a vacuum would have been created.
“We had to quickly rally round to organize a virtual NEC meeting which gave the leadership endorsement to continue in office pending whenever elections would be conducted.
“I am delighted to say that through God’s intervention, the same court that gave the earlier order stopping the conference, vacated the same order few days after.
“In all, I must say it was only God that saw us through and that is why we are here to return all glory, honour and adoration to Him and Him alone,” Isiguzo enthused.
He particularly commended members of his campaign team for the doggedness, commitment and team spirit they displayed throughout the campaigns which saw them round the states of the federation, saying without them, the journey would have been more difficult and tasking.
In his sermon, Bishop Elkanar Godson, admonished Christians to always walk with God, Who he said never forsake His people, adding that the oppressors of the righteous would not escape the wrath of God.
Godson commended the NUJ National President for remembering to return to God with Thanksgiving over his reelection and also for healing his wife from challenging sickness.
In his brief remarks, the Chairman of Greater Heights Campaign Team, Mr. Amos Dunia, thanked God for Isiguzo’s reelection despite the distractions from some members of the NUJ.
Dunia assured that the second term of Chief Isiguzo would witness better days for practicing journalists in their quest for a better Nigeria.
Guests were later hosted to a sumptuous luncheon at the Abia State Hotels.
