From Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
The Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Zone D, Comrade Kris Atsaka, has declared his intention to run for the position of the National President of the NUJ.
The Vice President made this official at the NUJ house in Makurdi, the Benue state capital when the state Caretaker Chairman of the NUJ, Benue State Council, Comrade Vincent Nyiyongo presented him with the form on behalf of the state council.
Atsaka show stated that he was coming to serve solicited the support of the council to advance his aspiration.
He recalled that the last attempt at the national presidency of the union by anyone from the Benue council was by Comrade Philip Anza, which was about 21 years ago.
He promised that when elected, his administration would prioritize the welfare of journalists across the country and also ensure they are protected.
He harped that there was need to place journalists in the country on a consolidated salary structure adding that he would ensure that a previous bill that was sent to the National Assembly on the matter would be revisited.
He stressed that there was need to lift up the standard of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), to be at par with other tertiary institutions across the and ensure that it attracts funding from TETFund and other national and international organizations for training for members.
He also explained that there are other untapped wealth of the union that could be harnessed for the greater good of the members of the union.
He also promised to ensure that Journalists have second income other than their salary by drawing a form of entrepreneurial training to empower members with other skills.
Earlier, Chairman Caretaker Committee of NUJ in Benue state, Comrade Vincent Nyiyongo, hailed Comrade Atsaka for taking the bold step to come out and contest the position of the National President of the union.
He stated that it was time for Benue to produce the national president of the union because the state has not done that since the attempt made by Philip Anza.
Nyiyongo expressed confidence in Atsaka’s ability to lead the union saying he has been tested and trusting adding that if Be ue as a council have any differences, this was the time to close ranks and work together for the actualization of the ambition of Comrade Kris Atsaka.
Other speakers, including Elder Babs Usigbe, Tamenor Kwaghzee and Elizabeth Achagh said the
Atsaka presidency is a project for all Benue Journalists and called on members to assist him in any way possible to enable him realize his dreams.
They noted that success starts from home and he would have achieved 70 percent of his dreams with home support just as they urged the state council to push to get support from across the country to enable the aspiration come to fruition.
