Get Guardian on GoogleComrade Archibong Bassey of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been re-elected unopposed as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, following a delegate conference held in Calabar on Wednesday.
The triennial conference, held at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, also saw the return of five other executive members, who will steer the council’s affairs until 2028.
Their unopposed re-election was confirmed by the union’s electoral committee, signalling continued confidence in the leadership.
The re-elected officers include Comrade Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman; Comrade Michael Abang of BusinessDay as Secretary; Comrade Kingsley Agim of the Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary; Comrade Achiane Adams, also of the Ministry of Information, as Treasurer; and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as Auditor.
The national leadership of the NUJ was represented at the conference by the Vice President of Zone F, Comrade Opakah Dokubo, who stood in for the National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya.
The event was chaired by Dr Brenda Akpan, the pioneering President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), while Barrister Olive Onah administered the oath of office to the newly elected officers.
In his address, Dokubo praised the electoral process and urged the re-elected executives to build on their previous tenure by promoting unity and professionalism within the state council.
Similarly, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, commended the peaceful and harmonious nature of the election, assuring the union of the state government’s continued support.
“Unity within the union is essential. It is commendable that the election was without contest, and we will continue to partner with the NUJ to strengthen journalism in the state,” Ekpang said.
Goodwill messages also came from Comrade Timothy Ogban Akwaji, former Head of Service of the state; Comrade Nsa Gill, immediate past State NUJ Chairman and current Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Public Affairs; and Comrade Samuel Egbala, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Sports.
They all called for unity and urged the leadership to redouble its efforts.
In her acceptance remarks, Comrade Bassey thanked members for their trust, describing her first term as a period of learning. “We recognise the areas where we made strides and where we faltered. This new term presents an opportunity to improve. I seek your cooperation, ideas, and constructive feedback to move the council forward,” she said, calling for unity and reconciliation among members.
Bassey’s leadership first commenced on May 9, 2025, when she was elected to complete the tenure of Comrade Nsa Gill, who had been appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
The conference also featured a keynote lecture delivered by Dr Patrick Ene Okon, who spoke on “AI: Ethical Implications for Journalism Practice in Nigeria,” highlighting the growing challenges and responsibilities of journalists in the digital age.
