Grace Ike Emerges First Female Chairperson Of NUJ FCT Abuja Council
By Raymond Enoch
The immediate past Chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Abuja Council Triennial Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), emerged as Chairman.
She is the first female to emerge as chairman since the formation of the FCT Chapter of the NUJ since 1983, having polled a total of 445 votes to emerge as Chairman of the FCT Council.
Other officers that equally emerged included, Comrade Jide Oyekunle as the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, having polled a total of 447 votes while Comrade Ndambabo Yahaya was elected Vice Chairman with 444 and Mrs Sandra Udeike was elected Treasurer with 444 votes.
The election was supervised by Vice President of Zone D, Comrade Adeiza MomohJimoh, who was assisted by the Zonal Secretary, Comrade Dauda Mohammed, Assistant National Secretaries Akorede Opeyemi and Titan Onyebuchi Nze and conducted by members of the Credentials/Election Screening Committee chaired by Comrade Henry Umoro.
Members of the Union that throng out in an unprecedented number, resolved at the Business session of the Triennial Conference to cast their votes in spite of the fact that Grace Ike and her team were all returned unopposed.
Grace Ike, who is presently a staff of the Advocate Broadcasting Network (ADBN), is the immediate past chairperson of House of Representatives Press Corps and also former Vice Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, FCT Council.
Grace Ike, who is the 17th Chairman of the NUJ FCT, assured journalists of working with them and her team to revolutionize the affairs of the Council.
In her inaugural speech shortly after taking the oath of office, at the Council headquarters situated at Utako District of Abuja, Grace Ike expressed gratitude and appreciation to her supporters who dedicated their time, money and life to actualize her ambition which enabled her to scale all hurdles.
She acknowledged and hailed the recently elected National Executive of NUJ at the just concluded 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference, in Owerri, Imo State, where Alhassan Yahya Abdulahi was elected as President and members of the Central Working Committee of the NUJ.
The new Chairman of the FCT Council, dedicated her victory to God Almighty who saw her through all the political oad blocks and challenges she passed through and experienced.
She said: “As I assume this noble office, I am guided by the timeless words of John C. Maxwell which states; “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” With this wisdom, we will navigate a path toward unity, progress, and excellence for our union.
“The welfare of our members remains a cornerstone of this administration. From affordable health insurance schemes to empowerment initiatives, every member will feel the positive impact of our leadership,” she said.
