By Faith Igbudu
Members of the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers, NUPPPPROW, Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation Chapter have overwhelmingly re-elected Comrade Moses Akawe as chairman for another term of three years.
Comrade Akawe, who emerged victorious at the Union’s triennial delegates congress held in Makurdi polled 24 votes over his opponent and only co-contestant, Comrade Bridget Mbaukaan, who trailed behind with 17 votes.
Also, Mercy Igba secured victory over John Odoh for the position of Assistant Secretary with 26 votes against 15.
Other positions won by Bartholomew Kwembe, Vice Chairman; Ruth Atoo, Secretary and Mercy Iorboh, Treasurer, were declared unopposed.
In an address, the North East Zonal Secretary of the Union from Plateau State, Comrade James Diwa, who presided over the election, urged Congress to always seek guidance from the constitution and channel all ambiguous issues of the union to appropriate higher quarters.
Chairman of the three-man electoral committee, Boniface Jirbo, while appreciating the congress for bestowing trusting and confidence in them congratulated members for the feat attained, noting that the election was peaceful and prayed God to help the new EXCO to succeed in carrying out its duties.
In an acceptance speech, the re-elected Chairman, Comrade Moses Akawe thanked the Congress for voting him into office for a second term, saying that the confidence bestowed on him and his executives will be justified through sustained welfare initiatives.
He assured congress that his administration would pursue issues of collective interest that will be beneficial to members.
The re-elected chairman who had earlier in an opening speech said his first tenure witnessed giant strides in issues of welfare further appealed to Governor Alia to sustain his attention to the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation in order to help re-position it.
“We had to grapple with a number of challenges in our quest to provide purposeful leadership to our members. These range from depletion of membership as a result of retirement from service or death, (thereby bringing about gross reduction in our union’s monthly dues); to lack of better work environment and incentives for our members and many others.
“From the foregoing therefore, we wish to use this medium to appeal to the current in the state administration under our amiable Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia to change the negative narrative about our organisation – BPPC by turning around its fortunes,” he said.
