… Says Lecture Topic, Relevant For Peaceful Co-existence
MEMBERS of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have said the topic, MANAGING POST-ELECTION CHALLENGES: Nigeria As Case Study, chosen for discussion at the first Maris Annual Lecture is “apt, relevant to strengthen peace and unity of Delta State and Nigeria in general.”
Chairman of the Asaba Correspondent Chapel of the Union, Comrade Paul Osuyi who assured members of Maris Trust Council, held that Journalists will partner with them to give adequate publicity to the lecture, emphasised that it was important to take critical examination of how Nigeria can move on after the elections.
Comrade Osuyi who spoke when he met with representatives of Maris Trust Council in Asaba today (01/04/19), said, “lecture of this kind is very relevant, topical and always welcomed as it will give Nigerians, especially, those who participated in the elections the opportunity to come together and discuss.”
“As a union, we commend the Maris Trust Council for being proactive in organising an event that will strengthen our democracy, bring the people together to heal wounds ahead of the inauguration of new government on May 29, 2019,” Comrade Osuyi said.
He added, “be rest assured that the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ will partner with Maris Trust Council in ensuring the success of the lecture; the topic is relevant; the Guest Lecturer, Chief Williams Makinde is well known in the political, media, academic and administrative cycles; the choice of the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Nicholas Chizea, a respected Chief and credible personality is commendable; the Mother of the Day, Chief (Mrs) Josephine Ada Kachikwu was well selected; we know Maris with the Catholic doctrines, so, getting Very Rev. Father John Konyeke as Spiritual Father of the Day was expected.”
“From the list of an array of personalities selected to discuss the topic, we are confident that you are bound to set agenda for Nigeria, especially those who conduct the elections and all of us who are involved in the electoral process; we shall be there to report the event because, it is a good partnership that will yield results; we commend all those who are involved in ensuring the success of the lecture and we pray that God will make it a success,” Comrade Osuyi stated.
Earlier, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary of Maris Trust Council had told Comrade Osuyi and members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ that it was important to unveil the lecture to them as they will be key partners in ensuring that the message gets to all Nigerians including those in the diaspora.
According to Egugbo, “my dear colleagues, most of us are aware that the Maris Trust Council is organising the first Maris Annual Lecture; we are happy with the publicity given to the press release issued at the weekend.”
“The 2019 general elections are over and as Nigerians, organisations, the question that came to mind was, what do we do before May 29.
A meeting was held and the Chairman of the Trust Council, Chief Kenneth Olise Ph.D endorsed the topic for the annual lecture which is, MANAGING POST-ELECTION CHALLENGES:
Nigeria As Case Study and commended the Governor of Delta State for providing the enabling environment for Deltans to develop their potentials and contribute to the growth of the state; the lecture was designed to calm frayed nerves, and engender a peaceful environment ahead of the inauguration of new government on May 29, 2019.
The lecture will take place at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba from 12 noon,” Comrade Egugbo disclosed, adding, “we appreciate the roles Journalists play in ensuring stable polity; as colleagues, we are all aware of the story behind Maris; we give God the glory for giving us the strength, the means, including the right set of people like you to do what we are doing for Maris; we plead that you give us the necessary publicity as we move forward, because, this is the first lecture in the series that will be held annually by the grace of God.“
