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Controversy Trails Edo NAWOJ As Majority Members Boycott New Executive Inuaguration

Published

6 years ago

December 3, 2019

… Slaughters Qualification On Alter Of Attendance

New executives to pilot the affairs of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Chapter, for the next three years were inuagurated with majority of the members boycotting the inuaguration.

The inuaguration boycotted by the immediate past chairperson of Edo NAWOJ, Mrs. Flora Bossey, the present vice chairman of Edo Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs. Imelda Osayande, the present Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Edo NUJ, Mrs. Nafishetu Yakubu and other key stakeholders of the Association, was apparently without election.

Earlier, in a hitted debate yesterday, some of the aggrieved members partucularly those disqualified had called on chairman of the NUJ in Edo State, Sir Roland Osakue, to intervene on the impasse in the Association particularly disqualification of contestants on the ground of not meeting congress attendant requirement, adding that the registers presented were incomplete, photocopied.

The NUJ chairman, however, said NAWOJ issue was not in his purview, adding that the body has national body that decide for it hence all complaints should be channelled to the national body.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier before the inuaguration, chairman of the caretaker committee/credentials Mrs. Peace Ifidon accused the aggrieved members of deliberately stealing the hardcover note wherein a comprehensive congresses attendant was.

She said some person were hell-bent in frustrating her committee to make sure the committee fails but all their attempt were brought to naught.

She emphasised that the committee basically and strictly worked with the constitution of the NUJ hence those disqualified by the committee did not meet requirement regarding congress attendant as required by the constitution.

In her speech, the new chairman, Edo NAWOJ, Mrs. Adesuwa Ehimuan, assured women journalists in the state of running an open an inclusive administration.

She promised to set up a reconcilation committee to making sure that all aggrieved members come back so there will unity in the Association.

Recall that Info Daily had reported some days ago that some aggrieved members protested and alleged that there were plans to disqualified some contestants on ground of attendance, stressing that the registers were being manipulated and photocopied.

Speaking through Joy Musa, they alleged the attendant rigister being emphasised as cretaria for contesting the election was not complete, saying photocopy was presented rather than the original copy which according to them is more reliable and authentic.

She said most of the congresses held in the past dispensation were on ground of emergency, and that members were informed less than 24 hours, stressing that the immediate past secretary then failed to perform her duty.

The aggrieved members then accused NAWOJ/NUJ of compromising educational qualification by allowing some educational unqualified contestants.

“We say no to injustice! Apart from that, one of the contestants in the forthcoming election does not have result, she only presented NECO certificate. When she wanted to contest three years ago, she went to bring IIJ admission letter, she contested, now after three years, she want to contest so she went to Open University to bring admission letter from there, another admission letter, and you want to tell me she is qualified?

She never wrote a single exam at IIJ. Now, we have heard that she has written petition to Abuja that she has written all her exams and that she is waiting for her result and convocation, is that allowed in anywhere? Illegality will not be allowed in Edo NAWOJ. If that is allowed, I can go to Emaguero college to bring primary 5 pupil to contest the secretary position of Edo NAWOJ.

“We don’t want someone who does not have first degree, ND, HND but ‘certificate less’ to come and lead us in Edo NAWOJ. We will not allow it; it is an abberation. Manipulation of attendance to suit certain persons will not be allowed in this election. Somebody who do not have result, coming from the back door to contest election will not be allowed. What is right should be done by the NUJ, we are seeking for justice, she requested”, she said.

Info Daily has been keenly monitoring the crises and can authoritatively report that, when the list of contestants was first pasted on the notice board of the NUJ by the then Imelda Osayande led credentials committee earlier, some contestants were pasted with the maximum qualification of NECO accompanied by admission letters of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) and National Open University of Nigeria.

Imelda committee was dissolved and since then it has been ‘past and remove’ of contestants list on the notice board severally.

Out of the numerous lists pasted, Info Daily observed that at list two carried some contestants having maximum qualification of SSCE before such was expunged and a list carrying IIJ, Abuja was pasted.

The question, however, some of the Union members are asking is, where was the IIJ result when such contestants presented NECO or WAEC as their maximum qualification?

Another question begging for answer is, was it within the few months the crises lingered that such persons went to the school in question and acquired such result?

News

Coordinator, Edo First Lady Office, Majority Leader, Rights Lawyer, Others Bag 2025 Leadership Award

Published

6 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani; Majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan, and human rights lawyer, President Aigbokhan, alongside 27 others were on Friday , December 19, 2025, honoured with the 2025 Leadership & Development Award.

In his welcome address at the event with the theme: ‘Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Innovating for a Sustainable Future,’ Team Lead, Leadership and Development Initiatives, Dr. Sunny Duke Okosun, said the initiative was to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations that are shaping the future of “our world.”

Okosun, who said the awardees were not just selected for award sake, noted that “our awardees have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to making a positive impact in their respective fields. Their stories will inspire us, their achievements will motivate us, and their dedication will challenge us to strive for greatness.”

The Team Lead, while expressing his organisation’s
commitment to identifying, recognizing, and empowering leaders who are making a difference, said “we also look to the future, recognizing that the leaders of tomorrow will be those who innovate, collaborate, and prioritize sustainability.”

Okosun, who congratulated the awardees on “your outstanding achievements,” stressed: “Let us continue to inspire, motivate, and challenge each other to be the leaders we need for a brighter tomorrow.”

In her keynote address, Anani described the theme of the event as timely and profound, stressing that “it speaks directly to the urgent need to prepare our present and future generations with the skills, values, and mindset required to navigate an increasingly complex world.”

The Coordinator, who noted that “a sustainable future demands leaders who are conscious of the environment, committed to social inclusion, and driven by economic responsibility,” challenged: “Leadership in our time must go beyond titles and positions; it must be anchored on service, innovation, integrity, and a clear vision for sustainable development. Leadership empowerment begins with education, mentorship, and opportunity.”

She added: “When we invest in our young people by equipping them with knowledge, encouraging creativity, and providing platforms for growth we are laying the foundation for enduring progress. Innovation, in this context, is not limited to technology alone; it also includes innovative thinking in governance, entrepreneurship, social development, and community engagement.

“A sustainable future demands leaders who are conscious of the environment, committed to social inclusion, and driven by economic responsibility. It calls for leaders who can balance progress with preservation, growth with equity, and ambition with compassion. As a society, we must therefore foster innovation that addresses real challenges, creates jobs, strengthens communities, and improves the quality of life for all.”

Guest Speaker at the event, Prof. Festus Olise, described leadership as a curse to Nigeria, adding: “Year in, year out, we elect leaders into leadership positions yet our problems persist.”

Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly who happened to be one of the recipients, thanked the organisers, stressing that it is a challenge for him to do more for his people.

“I have done much for my constituents since I was elected, but the award will spure me to do more. Leadership is about catering for the followers, and this is a role I have been playing to the best of my ability.”

News

Delta Speaker Advocates Strict Legislative Protection Of N’Delta Environment

Published

7 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

The Speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor has advocated for more stringent legislations to protect the Niger Delta environment against violators, especially multinational and local oil companies.

He lamented that these multinational and local oil companies have turned the Niger Delta environment to dumping sites with the pollution of oil exploration and exploitation.

Guwor spoke at the 2nd annual Ijaw media conference 2025, organized by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, IPF in Delta State.

According to him, this will curb further damages of the Niger Delta environment, thereby saving the environment for future generations.

The Delta state speaker, who was represented by a former Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Emma Amgbaduba, noted that environmental neglect and social injustice were key drivers of unrest in oil-producing areas.

According to him, ”fishermen and farmers are in acute hunger and hardship due to the polluted rivers and degraded farmlands have pushed many families into hardship, threatening livelihoods that once sustained entire communities”

He warned that unless urgent steps are taken to protect natural resources, the human cost of oil exploration would continue to deepen poverty and insecurity in the region, with consequences for the national economy.

Guwor emphasized that host communities must demand strict compliance by international and indigenous oil companies with global environmental standards and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He noted that environmental neglect and social injustice were key drivers of unrest in oil-producing areas.

Guwor urged residents to take ownership of environmental protection in their communities, while acknowledging ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft, which he said has worsened pollution and economic losses.

The Speaker stressed that peaceful coexistence within communities remained critical to restoring confidence, attracting investments and improving living conditions in the Niger Delta.

News

IPF’s Conference: Igali Seeks Approval Of License For Locals To Operate Modular Refinery

Published

8 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

The National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum,( PANDEF) Amb. Godknows Boladei lgali, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve license for Niger Delta sons and daughters who have the requirements to operate modular refineries as it is done in the US and the Western world.

Dr. Igali who was the keynote speaker at the 2025 Ijaw Media Conference made the call on Wednesday December 17, in Warri.

He stated that the operation of modular refineries was for the best interest of increasing the growth of the nation’s economy as well as to create a sense of belonging to the people that own the crude oil and gas.

He said that it is important for the people to properly manage their God-given resources towards the welfare of humanity rather than being destroyed in the name of illegal oil bunkering.

by government security agencies thereby resulting in pollution and degradation of the environment they lived in.

He asserted that most of the raw materials used by industries are deposited in the Niger Delta region, especially crude oil, Gas, palm oil, rubber, cotton etc, stressing that the region will continue to be relevant in Nigeria because of her natural wealth.

He affirmed that Niger Deltans should think of sustaining its natural resources as well as safeguarding its environment for today and the future generations.

He urged the people to be more focused on education and professional skill acquisition, stressing that with the right education and skills, the scholars can invent new things that will better the society.

Igali also commended the Presidential Amnesty Programme Coordinator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro for his good works, while urging him not to be distracted by critics rather, he should continue sending “our sons and daughters abroad to acquire more skills and come back home to develop the Niger Delta region.”

He also urged Niger Deltans to sustain the existing peace, stressing that without peace development cannot strive in the communities.