NUJ National President: Benue’s Kris Atsaka joins the race

By David Odama

The Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Zone D, Comrade Kris Atsaka, has joined the race for the National President of the Union.

The Vice President made the declaration at the NUJ house in Makurdi, the Benue state capital when the state Caretaker Chairman of the NUJ, Benue state council, Comrade Vincent Nyiyongo presented him with the form on behalf of the state council.

Atsaka explained that he was interested in serving the union in a higher capacity as such he needed the backing of the council to advance his aspiration.

According to him, among the top priority of his administration would be to ensure that the welfare of Journalists across the country is protected, ensuring that Journalists we’re placed on a consolidated salary structure in the country as well as ensuring that a previous bill that was sent to the National Assembly on the matter is revisited.

While stressing that there was need to lift up the standard of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), to be at par with other tertiary institutions across the country and ensure that it attracts funding from TETFund and other national and international organizations for training for members.

He also explained that there are other untapped wealth of the union that could be harnessed for the greater good of the members of the union.

He also promised to ensure that Journalists have second income other than their salary by drawing a form of entrepreneurial training to empower members with other skills.

Earlier, Chairman Caretaker Committee of NUJ in Benue state, Comrade Vincent Nyiyongo, hailed Comrade Atsaka for taking the bold step to come out and contest the position of the National President of the union.

He stated that it was time for Benue to produce the national president of the union because the state has not done that since the attempt made by Philip Anza.

Nyiyongo expressed confidence in Atsaka’s ability to lead the union saying he has been tested and trusting adding that if Benue as a council have any differences, this was the time to close ranks and work together for the actualization of the ambition of Comrade Kris Atsaka.

Other speakers, including Elder Babs Usigbe, Tamenor Kwaghzee, Peter Amine and Elizabeth Achagh among others said the
Atsaka presidency is a project for all Benue Journalists and called on members to assist him in any way possible to enable him realize his dreams.

They noted that success starts from home and he would have achieved 70 percent of his dreams with home support just as they urged the state council to push to get support from across the country to enable the aspiration come to fruition.