The Federal Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council, today 6th August 2026 held a special congress where the previous executive committee (Exco) gave account of its stewardship preceding its dissolution, and a new executive committee was elected on expiration of the tenure of Comrade Abel Johngold-led Exco, marking a significant transition in the leadership of the chapel.
The event took place in the chapel’s secretariat at Federal Information Centre, Federal Secretariat Asaba, and was attended by executive members of the state council led by the Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe and Ag. Council Secretary Comrade Josephine Omordior, as well as National Ex Officio member, Comrade Felix Igbekoyi.
The special congress was presided by State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe and moderated by the Ag. State Secretary Comrade Josephine Omordior. Oyowe commended and congratulated the Abel Johngold-led Exco for leading the chapel peacefully and leaving the chapel better than it was in previous tenures.
Comrade Abel Johngold gave his stewardship account, citing that he was unanimously re-elected to serve as Chairman of the Federal Information Chapel for the 2023–2026 union term. He recounted his commitment which was to revitalizing the Chapel, strengthening unity among members and improving its operational effectiveness.
Speaking further, the two-term Chapel Chairman outlined intentional measures he took to achieve the successes recorded so far, which include; formal and informal meetings to foster cooperation and participation, transparency, accountability, financial prudence, capacity building programmes, welfare and chapel project one of which was a signpost at the entrance of Federal Secretariat, Asaba, clearly identifying the location of the Federal Information Chapel.
Johngold further noted that his tenure was not without challenges ranging from poor records and meeting attendance to weak financial commitment of members, which he weathered with the support of his Exco members. He ceased the opportunity to appreciate every member for the confidence reposed in him to serve while his tenure lasted.
The Credentials Committee Chairperson, Comrade Mrs. Tracy Ikolomi, who also is the Delta State Director of National Orientation Agency, stated that the contestants’ certificates and financial standings were duly screened to certify eligibility, noting that today’s election is for the position of Chairman, while that of Secretary was unopposed with a lone contestant, in view of a bye election to fill in other executive posts.
The outcome of the election reflected an overwhelming vote in favour of Comrade Tamara Febau over Comrade Kelly Gilor as Chairman, while Comrade Wilbet Ijeoma was returned as Secretary unopposed.
In an acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Comrade Tamara Febau, thanked the congress and accepted the position with a sense of responsibility, noting that the position of Chairman is not a title but a call to duty. He called on the support of everyone especially his co-contestant Comrade Kelly Gilor to work with him and move the chapel forward.
The State Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe gave a closing remarks, congratulating the newly elected Chairman and encouraged him to be magnanimous in victory, while urging the contender to be gallant and cease other opportunities to serve the union. He termed the victory a victory for the chapel and the union having witnessed a peaceful and rancor-free election, and charged the chapel to come up with activities such as training and collaborative programmes to promote the union, while urging members to leverage on existing media to promoting the chapel and giving it visibility.
Oyowe harped on continuous peaceful coexistence of Chapel members which resonates at the State Council, and urged the Chairman to encourage members to upgrade their qualifications, citing IIJ Professional Studies with the present session having 20 candidates. Finally, he thanked the Credentials Committee for a job well done.
Mrs. Ikolomi appreciated everyone for the peaceful conduct of the election, noting that there was no Victor, no Vanquish. She expressed optimism that members would be more involved in subsequent elections, and charged the newly elected executives to carry every member in the chapel along.
In a vote of thanks, the newly elected Chapel Secretary, Comrade Wilbet Ijeoma thanked the State Council executives led by the Council Chairman Comrade Churchill Oyowe and Ag. State Secretary Comrade Josephine Omodior for the smooth and successful moderation of the election, everyone in attendance, and recognized the presence of a National Ex Officio member, Comrade Felix Igbekoyi. “I pray God grant us the newly elected Exco the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the chapel to a greater height;” Ijeoma prayed.
Highpoints of the congress were account stewardship, dissolution of exco, election and inauguration of new exco, and group photograph.
