NUJ Cross River holds Triennial Conference, returns Archibong Bassey-Led EXCO

Comrade Archibong Bassey of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been re-elected as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, alongside five other executive members, during the 2025 Triennial Delegates Conference held on Wednesday, July 16, at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar.

According to the electoral committee, the entire executive emerged unopposed and will serve until 2028.

Other re-elected officers include Comrade Sunday Inah of CRBC as Vice Chairman, Comrade Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary, Comrade Kingsley Agim and Comrade Achiane Adams, both of the Ministry of Information, as Assistant Secretary and Treasurer respectively, and Benedine Tete Anam of FRCN as Auditor.

The event was overseen by the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, represented by Zone F Vice President, Comrade Opakah Dokubo.

Also present was Dr. Brenda Akpan, pioneer President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), who chaired the conference.

Legal practitioner Barr. Olive Onah administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the new EXCO members.

File photo from swearing in ceremony.

In his remarks, Comrade Dokubo praised the peaceful nature of the election and urged the new leadership to maintain unity and progress within the council.

Commissioner for Information, Hon. Erasmus Ekpang, expressed optimism about the future of the union, saying, “We will continue as the government to give the Cross River State chapter of NUJ what it needs… I believe one day, the State Council will emerge as the best in the nation.”

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Other dignitaries who gave goodwill messages included Comrade Timothy Ogban Akwaji, immediate past Head of Service; Comrade Nsa Gill, former NUJ State Chairman and current Special Adviser on Public Affairs to Governor Bassey Otu; and Comrade Samuel Egbala, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Sports.

They all echoed the sentiment that “you don’t change the winning team,” and encouraged the re-elected officials to build on their previous successes.

In her acceptance speech, Comrade Bassey thanked members for their continued trust.

“Our first term was a trial period. For the things we did right, we will do better; the ones we didn’t do right, we will strive to correct,” she said.

She also appealed for forgiveness and unity, urging members to offer constructive suggestions and support for the progress of the council.

Daily Watch Nigeria reports that Bassey was first elected on May 9, 2025, to complete the tenure of Comrade Nsa Gill, who had been appointed as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

The conference also featured a lecture by Dr. Patrick Ene Okon on the topic, “AI: Ethical Implications for Journalism Practice in Nigeria.”