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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council says, the inauguration of the NUJ Membership Committee should not be misconstrued to mean witch-hunting, but a deliberate and considered policy trust of his administration to entrench a paradigm shift of ensuring that there is an accurate data base aimed at having a documented nominal list of practicing journalists in the state.
Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, who emerged the Bayelsa State NUJ chairman after a keenly contested election stated this in his inaugural assignment of inauguration of a five-man membership Audit Committee in his office, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Azikoro Road, Ekeki – Yenagoa.
According to him, contrary to misgivings being expressed over this strategic committee on membership audit, he was out to create a new phase, collate relevant data and document record of the council to ascertain professionalism and medium, stock tracking , know exactly numbers of existing chapels, have accurate data of practicing female and male journalists in the state for accurate data and make Bayelsa State a reference point. And to also among other reasons recommend categorization and provides for professional membership and associate membership of the council.
“I wish to react to the misgivings that the exercise was not meant to witch -hunt anybody as the council was poised for training and retraining and certification for career progression”
Speaking on behalf of the Audit Committee, Mrs Joy Ifidi-Okah of the Niger Delta Television, commended the chairman for considering them worthy for the assignment and pledged that they will not take it for granted, but will work dilligenlty and assiduously to ensure they deliver on their mandate and present a credible and acceptable template within the stipulated four weeks.
“This assignment is a paradigm shift in the anals of NUJ in Bayelsa State Council, reiterating that it was not meant to witch-hunt anybody, but will interfere with all chapels for the benefit of all practicing journalists in the state to have a data base as a reference point.”
The chairman also used the opportunity to announce the appointment of Comrade Ebiowei Lawal as Ex-Officio member 1 and Comrade Janet Tuomote as ex-officio member 2.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by members of the new executive council and stakeholders.
The 5-man Audit Committee is made up of Comrade Joy Ifidi-Okah of Niger Delta Television as chairman and Comrade Bassey Willie of Daily Trust as secretary.
Other members are Comrade Alambo Datonye of Federal Radio Corporation, Pastor Wannama Dadyson of Information Chapel and Comrade Constance Watson of New Wave Newspaper corporation.
