by crossriverwatch admin
The Dean of Students Affairs University of Calabar, Prof. Eyong Ubana Eyong has urged campus journalists to be upright in their activities and let all feuds not deter them from their goal as “Consolidators of the Virtues of Truth”.
He made the call at the inauguration of the Executive Council of University of the Calabar Chapter of Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists, NUCJ held this weekend to pilot the affairs of the union for the 2013/2014 academic session.
Prof. Eyong who chaired the event made it known that he is aware of the crisis rocking the union but encouraged the members not to fight at the expense of the entire goal which is detrimental to the interest of the union and the members.
Ubana who was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Emori maintained that only in working in unison with clear headed leaders who are willing to serve by leading not for self aggrandizement can the union move forward. Urging that “No matter what happened during the election process, it is a normal thing that must occur in that selection process but what matters is what happens after then because whatever step taken by the divided parties will only split the house and retrogress the fruits. So therefore, embrace one another and move on because winning and losing are part of the game”.
Delivering his acceptance speech shortly after been sworn into office, the NUCJ, UNICAL Chapter President Comrade Ekemini Roland who served as the Deputy Editor-In-Chief of the dissolved executive led by Comrade Eca Emmanuel expressed gratitude to members of the union for conducting themselves in a responsible manner during the election process.
He pledged to lead by example urging those who lost during the election not to lose hope because his administration will work in line with their vision and that of any other member as far as they are worthy. The new President commended the electoral committee members for their steadfastness in ensuring a free and fair election.
Earlier, in his valedictory speech, the Emeritus President, Comrade Eca Emmanuel noted that he feels fulfilled with his 289 days sojourn as the President of the Union and commended his Comrades for their support while in office and beckoned them to support his successor just more than they did for him.
After listing his achievements while in office, Comrade Emmanuel reminded everyone that their duty amongst others is to consolidate the virtues of truth in their reportage and editorials.
He also lamented bitterly that some group of people who are members of the union are trying to hijack the Union, warning that some “Few persons who have refuse to graduate have unleashed their inhumanity to our dear union because they felt disappointed that the leadership of the Union has refused to worship them, God forbid that the leadership of NUCJ will begin to see few persons to be higher than the Union. Those who are graduates should leave the Union alone”.
Continuing he said: “those who think they are older than the Union claiming to have been members of NUCJ since 7 years ago and are still students till date, are they reading Medicine and Surgery?
“Let me vividly point out that our today Comrade Tobby Godwin who is the Electoral Committee, ELECO Chairman has moved the Union one step forward and two steps backwards.” Eca said, accusing him of being the brain behind the violent cancellation of the inauguration when it was scheduled earlier.
He also accused Comrade Esther Ukpa, a member of the electoral committee of aiding and abating her committee Chairman, adding that “as for those who are just good in writing petitions but lack the courage of writing articles, they don’t know how backward they are”.
Responding to the allegations against him, Comrade Tobby Godwin denied Eca’s claims saying that just because he ensured that the election was won by majority votes as an ethical standard of democracy, he and his committee members are being accused falsely by the Emeritus President of the Union of not doing the right thing because of high level interests.
Tobby explained that the rationale behind cancelling the inauguration as earlier scheduled was because a constitutional requirement was not met. “A section of our constitution states that the audit committee must tender account before inauguration which was not done, so in order not to derail from my compass, we at the level of ELECO decided to cancel the event which was not violent at all”, Tobby maintained.
While the inauguration ceremony was ongoing the immediate past Financial Secretary of the Eca led exco, Comrade Afufu Anthony was seen quarrelling bitterly with his erstwhile boss, Eca Emmanuel over his refusal to give him his certificate of service/office.
He complained that the Emeritus President refused giving him his certificate of office for unknown reasons but gave those who even resigned from the Union whereas he served till the end.
Comrade Afufu later slapped the Emeritus President as the confrontation prolonged into fisticuffs.
The new executives that were sworn into office are: Comrade Ekemini Roland, President, Comrade Handsome Ndifreke, Provost Marshal, Comrade Ubong Emmanuel, Financial Secretary, Comrade Victoria George, Treasurer, Comrade Monday Ogar, Director of Projects, Comrade Ugbal Peter, Public Relations Officer, Comrade Obibi Samuel, Deputy Secretary General and Comrade Pepple Uduak, Secretary General.
The office of the Vice president, Director of Social and Programs are vacant and will be filled via a bye-election on a yet to be announced date.
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