Archibong Bassey, first female chairman of the Cross River Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Veteran journalists in Cross River State have thrown their weight behind the Archibong Bassey-led executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) state council, urging members to support their re-election bid ahead of the July 16th Council Election.
Comrade Anietie Akpan, a former Bureau Chief of Guardian Newspaper, praised the Bassey-led EXCO for their remarkable performance within one year, describing their leadership as “transformational.”
Akpan said, “This very young Exco has done very well within one year. We, collectively, should give them the mandate to go back and complete a three-year full package and deliver on the mandate they are supposed to deliver.”
Comrade Archibong Bassey, the current Chairman of the Council, acknowledged the challenges faced by her EXCO but emphasized that their achievements have overshadowed those challenges.
She said, “During the past one year, it has been tasking, challenging but we have also achieved a lot. We’ve managed to touch over 20 projects.
“Imagine doing this in one year. If you give us one year, we will thrive.
“Please, give us another chance to do another three years. We will not fail you if you give us another opportunity.”
Bassey has inaugurated her election Campaign Committee, comprising veteran journalists, with Comrade Mike Akpang of FRCN as Director General (DG). Akpang said, “From the very first day this EXCO was inaugurated, it has taken the right step forward and has shown that it can lead this council.
The EXCO started with training and retraining, and it has been success story after success story.”
The veteran journalists and the Bassey-led EXCO are calling on members to support their re-election bid, emphasizing that their leadership has shown a clear path and a commitment to delivering on their mandate.
