NUJ Delta Veteran And Elders Forum Holds Inaugural Meeting, Vows To Prioritize Members’ Welfare

By Dorathy Mbasen Uba

The Veteran and Elders Forum of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council has pledged to take the welfare of members of the state council seriously to intervene and to assist when necessary.

The Chairman of the forum, Comrade Akpati Ogude made the pledge while addressing journalists after the inaugural meeting of the forum held Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the NUJ State Secretariat, along Mariam Babangida Way, Asaba.

Comrade Ogude who earlier apologized for his inability to call for a meeting since inauguration, said the delay was due to other circumstances that got him occupied.

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He however commended members for their dignified presence while assuring that such anomaly would not occur in the future.

Accordingly, in order to avoid hitches as experienced in the past, members of the forum animousciously agreed to be meeting bi-monthly and urged the Chairman to swiftly summon an emergency meeting whenever the need arises.

The house commended the Oyowe-led executive of the council for their achievements so far and stressed the need for them to always work as a team to ensure a harmonious working relationship towards an impactful and developed union.

Recall the Veteran and Elders Forum was formally inaugurated on Monday, December 11, 2023 as a special committee of the council as part of the campaign promises of the POWER Team whose task was to occasionally counsel the state exco on issues that will provide good and quality leadership and also intervene at the instance of the council in resolving disputes among members of the union.

Hence, having been saddled with such enormous responsibilities, members of the forum have emphasized the need for the leadership of the council to timely intimate the forum on issues that demand their attention so as to nip problems in the bud; and planned to immediately hold a meeting with them in that regard.

The House has also pledged to reach out to relevant authorities to assist the council in the area of improved power supply to the Secretariat to enhance productivity and add credibility to the council.

On the enlargement of membership of the forum, it was resolved that the State council should furnish the leadership of the forum with names of journalists who have practiced in Delta State for thirty years and above so that they could be formally inducted into the Veteran and Elders Forum.

The VEF further solicits a better working relationship between government and the state council and called on journalists in the state to assist in the propagation of government programmes and policies, using their various channels of communication.

The Forum also promised to work together with the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza in terms of proper dissemination of information towards the actualization of the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori-led administration.

The meeting which was presided over by the Chairman, Comrade Edward Akpati Ogude was attended by other executive members of the forum including Comrade Osita Biose as Vice Chairman, Comrade Lucky Omokri as Treasurer, and Comrade Kingsley Azuh, PRO.