By RILWANU ABUBAKAR A.

Comrade Mrs. Juliana Ose Ofoku of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has made history by emerging as the first female Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State Council, following a keenly contested election held in Lafia.

Mrs. Ofoku defeated two other contestants to secure victory in the 2026 NUJ State Council election conducted at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Lafia.

Announcing the results, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, said Comrade Juliana polled 96 votes to defeat her closest rival, Mr. Samson Jonah of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), who scored 89 votes, while Mr. Sunday John of the Correspondents’ Chapel garnered 61 votes.

Dr. Kalu also announced that the positions of Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor were filled unopposed. He said Comrade Ibrahim Dauda was elected Secretary, Comrade Regina David Assistant Secretary, Comrade Adamu Joel Treasurer, and Comrade Bilkisu Adamu Auditor.

He commended the electoral process, describing it as free, fair, transparent, and credible, while appreciating members for their orderly conduct throughout the exercise.

In her acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairperson, Comrade Juliana Ose Ofoku, expressed gratitude to members of the union for the confidence reposed in her. She also appreciated the outgoing executive council for its four years of service and pledged to run an inclusive, transparent, and people-oriented administration that would carry every member along.

Also speaking, the NUJ National Vice Chairman, North Central Zone, Comrade Adedeji Momoh-Ojo, urged the newly elected executives to discharge their responsibilities with honesty, transparency, dedication, and accountability. He further charged them to prioritise the welfare of members and promote unity within the council.

In his remarks, the outgoing Chairman of the NUJ, Nasarawa State Council, Comrade Salihu Mohammed Alkali, thanked members for their unwavering support throughout his four-year tenure. He also expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, for providing an enabling environment that allowed journalists in the state to perform their professional duties without intimidation or harassment.

The election was conducted peacefully under the supervision of security personnel, with members commending the process as orderly, transparent, and successful.