By Halima Jubril and Uloma Okorie
The Maiden Monthly Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,Nuj Fct council held on Saturday 25th January, 2025 at the Council Secretariat, Utako.The attendance was unprecedented in the history of the council as over 400 members including some former Chairmen and Nawoj past and present leaders were in attendance.This confirm the fact that a new era has come and strongly too.
The congress was presided over by Comrade Grace Ike, the Chairman who was unanimously elected unopposed to lead the council on December 4th 2024.
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The atmosphere was eclectic and clearly shows that the Comrade lke factor is real and already over running her adversaries who refuse to accept that only change is constant in life. The Grace factor is indeed a positive one that has come to stay.
As the first female to lead the council in the many years of its establishment, it is obviously clear that Ike will be exemplary, honest, transparent and unassuming while setting a new standard of leadership style that has never been witness in the FCT Council.
During her campaign to occupy the office,she laid deep emphasis on improved Welfare ,Transparency, Accountability and Professionalism which she clearly demonstrated from the onset.
The meeting hall sitting capacity was overstretched with many not able to find seat but endured standing just to register their presence, excitement and solidarity for the new exco that she is leading.
Comrade Ike presided with all sense of humility, respect and dignity not talking down on her esteemed colleagues rather she honoured everyone present. What we have witnessed in recent past is leadership that arrogantly talked down on congressmen during each sitting as if the council Chairmanship position is permanent. Nothing is permanent in life except change. Hardly was there any respect for members to help dignify them but comrade Ike seems different looking at the way she conducted herself. The previous situation was like emperor lording over his subjects which shouldn’t be so with professional colleagues.
Not minding that the former Exco have not yet given account of their six year stewardship,Comrade Ike earnestly hit the ground running leading with humility while aggressively and silently achieving rare feats that many would ordinarily think is not possible. Her generosity and commitment to members welfare and professionalism are rolling in effortlessly as promised during her campaigns which particularly endeared her to members.
While presiding over the Congress, she allowed member who indicated interest to contribute freely and meaningfully to issues that affect all members and Nigeria among which is the giant strides in infrastructure development being achieved by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike and the general state of the Nation.
The team leader is not just determine to succeed but also to ensure that members are satisfied with her conduct and leadership style which speaks volume away from the past.
Suffice to say that there could still be a minute number who do not feel comfortable with her victory for reasons of not being able to embrace the wind of positive change, i urge this category to sheat their sword and embrace the comrade Ike factor that has come to stay.
Let us all join hands with the Comrade Ike led exco to move the Fct Nuj to greater height by each of us doing our beat. Ike’s demonstration of openness and her generosity should encourage everyone to work with her to achieve stated goals. She has indeed set a lofty standard for herself which she is already translating into actions.She also has open doors and a good listening ears. she is open to corrections if any. So one expect nothing less than a seamless transition.
howbeit, she is determined to beat every record on ground.
Let us not be deterred by little envy, gossips, backbiting and behind the scene plots that will do the council no good on both the short and long run. No pull down syndrome will work against her as majority members believe in the leadership acumen that she has already demonstrated. She is already repositioning Fct to be the lead Nuj council in Nigeria as a visit to the council secretariat already shows it all.
Comrade Ike in her opening remark after welcoming members to the maiden edition of the monthly Congress emphasize on the unity and prosperity of the Council. Hence it is important for all to embrace peace and harmony as the election is done and dusted until a few years ahead. She also pledged to uphold the dignity and welfare of members.
Therefore,the onus is on all to help the Nuj Fctto establish itself as the lead Journalists Council in Nigeria lead by a great team determined to be reckoned with##
Halima Jubril/ Uloma Okorie wrote from Abuja