Crusaderhotnews
By Lucky Efese
The Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists is undoubtedly recognized as one of the formidable and articulate unions in the country which has its tentacles spread across the thirty-six states of the federation including the federal capital territory, which house the national secretariat of the union.
The union is an umbrella body of trained journalists who are professionally oriented to disseminate news which are of benefits to the public.
The Edo State Council is known to usually plays a vital and predominant role in electing the national president in every successive election.
As a profession which educates, informs, entertains and directs the public on the path of justice, fair play and equity, being the most humanitarian profession, journalism is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm and has remained the most outstanding profession which promotes core values, integrity and dignity of the citizens but are still underestimated by politicians most especially without recourse to their roles to mankind
It is outright to state unequivocally that Festus Alenkhe is among prominent Edo born indigenes, who have variously been elected through electoral processes into the leadership position of a state chairman. The likes of Mr Godwin Erhahon, Chief Nasamu Jacobson, Elder Ralph Okhiria, Mr Dele Enaifona, Otunba Aladenika, Mr Friday Obanor, Dr Desmond Agbama and Mr Roland Osakue, among other living and dead ancestors if any, have once held the mantle of leadership as state chairmen and distinguished themselves in that capacity.
The dexterity of the incumbent chairman, Festus Alenkhe, has rekindled the lost hope of the people in journalism practice as his game changing dispositions have promoted a course of good governance and professionalism in the council.
Festus Alenkhe made debut in journalism profession at the Edo Broadcasting Services where he anchors crime report on every Tuesday and Thursday with the slogan ''how you feel now'' which savours his intellectual and humble instinct in crime reportage.
Less down two years in his administration, the NUJ Chairman has kept faith in his electioneering campaign promises thereby changing the leadership narratives in the pen and paper profession in the state to enhance transformation.
Having considered the integrity level of the profession Alenkhe led exco took a marathon step to shape the council building by remodeling it to befit the status of an average journalist.
He proactively renovated the building and gave new but conducive look to the conference hall, reception hall which is equitable to the banquet hall at the Edo State Governor's office just as he also embarked on the shaping the ground floor, unveiled food Mart to cope with the economic hardship created by the ill dispositions of the immediate past president Muhammadu Buhari led government in the country.
Today in the history of Edo NUJ, Festus Alenkhe has brought decorum, discipline, orderliness and intellectual exploration of an ordinary journalist to an enviable position.
Being a detribalised, charismatic, humble and respected leader, the NUJ boss, has worked within the confines of the laid down regulated rules and laws of the profession to build a synergy with the concerned authorities on the state in achieving the desired development, especially the lighting of the entire complex with the Edo State Government Ussiomo power project, flooring the compound and rearranging the parking slots to give relaxable atmosphere for practising journalists to discharge their onerous tasks in terms of news reporting.
Festus Alenkhe is not just an administrator with an impeccable and unwavering character, but also a philanthropist who engages in uplifting the poverty level of the people without expecting a return of appreciation.
As a man who is not always deterred by the prevailing situation, is a man with many parts, whose dispositions have encouraged and are still encouraging journalists to be more professional active on their responsibilities to turn around the fortunes of the journalism profession in the society. A civil servant par excellence, he is the current manager, news, at the Edo Broadcasting Services and launched a template to adequately disseminate news to the public.
Less than two years to the end of his administration, Festus Alenkhe has formulated policies and programmes which are geared towards focusing principally on insecurity, insurance and social welfare for practising journalists to meet with international best practices as well as planning training and retraining seminars for journalists to enhance their professional pedigree towards harnessing their intellectual potentials through competent reportage.
It is opined that when Festus Alenkhe comes back on second term, the prominence of the Edo journalists will have reached the apex because his foundation to win the second term ticket remains concrete which requires everyone to throw his/her support for
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