Patrick Ochoga emerges Edo Correspondents’ Chairman

Comrade Patrick Ochoga of the Leadership Newspaper on Wednesday emerged as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Edo State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Ochoga was returned unopposed due to the disqualification of Comrade Micheal Egbejule, by the National leadership of NUJ on the grounds of constitutional breaches.

Egbejule, who hitherto claimed to work for the Guardian Newspaper, penultimate week to the election, changed from the Guardian to the blog.

In disqualifying him, the National Leadership of the NUJ, vide a letter endorsed by the National Secretary, Comrade Achike Chude, said: “The reported claim by the said Egbejule that he now works with newscreek.com if it is registered with the CAC only makes him a practising journalist as the National Secretary doesn’t have that name among the Online Medium in Edo State.”

Other officers who emerged at the election are Abdullahi Usman Bello of the Daily Trust Newspapers, Vice Chairman; Patrick Ahanor of the Blue Print Newspapers, General Secretary; Idris Umar Momoh, of the Business Day Newspapers, Treasurer; and Barnabas Uzosike of the Vanguard Newspapers, Auditor.

In his remark, Ochoga, who holds a BSC in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Jos and a post-graduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State promised to uphold the ethics of journalism and to ensure that every member of the Correspondents ‘ Chapel was given a sense of belonging 

“I stand before you today filled with immense gratitude and humility. Emerging as your chairman is not just a personal achievement, but a collective victory, and I am deeply honored. 

“As your chairman, I promise to fight for all of us for a better and progressive chapel. I will stand up for our values and work across the aisle to get things done.

“We face big challenges, but I have never been more optimistic that together we can surmount any obstacle about the future of our chapel. Our diversity is our strength. Our shared hopes and dreams unite us”. Ochoga assured 

Earlier, in her valedictory speech, the former Chairman, Mrs. Nefishetu Yakubu, thanked every member of the Chapel for their support and urged that the support be extended to the incoming executive.

“Today marks the end of an incredible journey as I officially hand over the mantle of leadership to a new team of executives. It is a bittersweet moment, as I reflect on the challenges, triumphs, and shared experiences we have had over the past six years.  

“First and foremost, I want to thank every one of you for your solidarity, support, and encouragement throughout my tenure. Your faith in me, even during the most challenging times, has been my greatest source of strength. Together, we have built a stronger Chapel and made significant strides”, Mrs. Yakubu said.

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