By Ijeoma Umeh
Frontline aspirant for the position of Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the forthcoming delegates conference, Dr. Bimbo Oyetunde has expressed appreciations to Journalists in Edo State for the spirit of comraderie with which they had treated her since the 8 years of her sojourn as both a practicing journalist and General Manager of a media outfit in Edo state.
Oyetunde, General Manager, Bronze FM, Radio Nigeria was received at the Oba Oguola NUJ Press Centre in Benin City by leaders and members of the union, led by Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chairman, NUJ Edo State Council, leaders of the union, including Deacon Raph Okhiria, past Council Chairman, Comrade Titus Akhigbe, past two-term Secretary of Council, Comrade Andy Egbon, Secretary of Council, Comrade Grace Ijeoma Umeh, past Chairperson, NAWOJ Edo State Chapter and Chief of Staff to Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Imelda Elogie-Osayande, Vice Chairman of Council, Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairperson, NAWOJ, Executives of both NUJ and NAWOJ, leaders of chapels, veterans, reporters, management and staff of Bronze FM Benin and several other guests.
In her address, Dr. Oyetunde stated that Journalists in Edo State had warmly received and cooperated with her in her professional work, adding that the nod was given to her by members to run since over 3 years ago.
Declaring her aspiration, she commended them for the cordial relationship and mutual friendship built over the years, and sued for its sustenance as she embarks on the new assignment, having served in various capacities at the Lagos State Council.
Leaders of the union took turns in showering encomiums on the member, Board of Trustee of NUJ for her diligence as an administrator and her humane spirit which they said had endeared her to many.
Comrade Festus Alenkhe praised the character of Dr Oyetunde, describing her as a leader of great repute, a lover of peace and a great manager of human resource.
The NUJ Edo State Council boss noted that Oyetunde’s charismatic leadership style and her love for peace and unity had informed the council’s unanimous decision to pay for her nomination form, and gave ab assurance that NUJ Edo State Council would queue behind her candidacy and ensure the victory of her team at the polls.
Also speaking, Deacon Ralph Okhiria stated that Dr. Oyetunde’s impeccable character has made her stand out as a leader who can be trusted and promised to team up with his milieu of friends across the states to ensure her team emerged victorious.
Speakers upon speakers commended the resilient character of the General Manager, Bronze FM, Radio Nigeria Benin and each speaker chronicled her love for humanity and how she had personally impacted on members of the union.
“Here is a leader, a lover of humanity, a mother who has richly invested in people, sowed seeds of love and kindness in lives and made sacrifices to give others springboards to success. I am a testimony of how she has personally touched lives. She invested richly in me too, professionally and otherwise, calling on me to carry out assignments that she would hitherto have done by herself with a mere phone call in her personal capacity as a boss and a well connected personality. But because she is not selfish but a self-effacing personality, she helped many of us and gave us opportunities to help others too through media engagements and assignments that fetched us retainership and helped us earn from our professional work.
We will stand solidly by her and support her aspiration because it is for the collective good of all.” Comrade Grace Ijeoma Umeh stated.
Comrade Imelda Elogie-Osayande, two-term Vice Chairman, NUJ Edo State Council, Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairperson, NAWOJ Edo State Chapter, both called on everyone to give supports to the aspiration of Dr Oyetunde and to ensure that the victory is overwhelming at the polls.
“Let’s ensure we clinch the victory. Let’s give a woman who knows her onions a chance.” Ehimuan stated.
“She personally touched me positively too and this is pay back time.” Imelda Elogie-Osayande stated, a testimony corroborated by Comrade Isaac Olamikan and several others.
The recount were several, and they enlivened the hearts of many who heard first-hand, of the good naturedness of the multi-award winning GM, Bronze FM, Radio Nigeria Benin.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the nomination form to Dr. Bimbo Oyetunde by the Chairman of Council.
If elected, Dr. Oyetunde will be the first female journalist to become Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.