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By Raphael Ekpang
The newly elected chairman of the National Assembly New Media Forum (NANMF) Clement Nwabuko has said that the days of idle and mere floating journalism among members are over, he therefore urged members to brace up for a new task ahead of the forum.
He made this know on Friday in Abuja during his acceptance speech after he emerged the new chairman of the forum.
Nwabuko of Sundiapost scored twelve votes to beat his opponent Saminu Ibrahim of sinlnigeria.com.ng who scored seven votes.
He said, “Dear colleagues, we may step on toes if it is highly inevitable to keep the light of this Forum burning because we can”t afford to allow the light go deem. Days of idle journalism and mere floating journalism are over. Days of unproductive journalism are over. As Online journalists, we must be equal to the task and armed ourselves with the right gadgets and working tool to justify the responsibility this job required of us.”
Nwabuko appreciated the outgoing EXCO and the credential committee members for providing the level playing field for the election and promised on behalf of the new EXCO to deliver on their mandate.
“Let me give honour to whom honour is due. I want to doff my hat for the Pioneer Chairman of this Forum – Prince Sunday Yemi Itodo for his foresight and for walking the talk to bring this Forum into existence and also for breaking barriers to ensure that this Forum got inaugurated by the Management of National Assembly.
“We will forever be grateful and nothing is too much to be given to you. Thank you sir. Worthy of mention and thanks too is the Pioneer Secretary of the Forum, Hon Salami Atokolo Haruna for his wisdom, diplomacy and stabilizing role each time tempers begin to rise. We thank you immersely. You and the Chairman remain our sources of inspiration.
“Similarly, I want to thank the immediate past exco, for steering the ship of this Forum, especially, during the turbulent teething period and the successful navigation through the thick and thin. It might look easy from outside but as a participant observer myself, I know they were no mean feats. We are indeed grateful,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly acting director of information Mr Umar Gobir Ango while inaugurating the new EXCO, congratulated them and charged the executives to live above board even as he pledged the support of the information directorate for the success of their tenure.
Other members elected on Friday include; Saminu Ibrahim – Vice Chairman 1, (Senate), David Okoh Ichima – Vice Chairman 2, (House of Reps), Peter Onu Oriri – Secretary General, Isaac James Terzulum – Asst. Secretary General and Raphael Nkira Ekpang – Welfare Officer 1, (Senate) as well as Moses Eze Idika – Auditor and Babangida Fahad – Treasurer
