The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, has told the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), to appoint people of integrity and good strength of character to serve in his government.

While congratulating him on his recent election victory, the journalists told Buhari that if he is going to meet the expectations of Nigerians of providing the country with good governance, he must ensure that people of honour and integrity are appointed into important positions as ministers, special aides, permanent secretaries, heads of MDA, parastatals, etc, irrespective of where they come from, in his government.

In a press release in Enugu, signed by its Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ugwueze, the group made a strong case for a former Chairman of the Chapel, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, as one person of integrity, honour and impeccable character and pedigree that should be appointed in the Buhari government to serve Nigeria selflessly, satisfactorily and popularly as he did when he was a two-term chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel.

The body of journalists observed that Sir Anueyiagu, a Knight of the Roman Catholic Church, had been a very strong and avid supporter of General Buhari, who, at the risk of his life under several threats, persistently promoted the virtues and good qualities of General Buhari through his ceaseless newspapers personal opinion articles since 2003 when the President-elect began his quest for the Presidency till date.

They said that even when he was seen as the only voice from the South-East supporting Buhari and was being vilified, Sir Anueyiagu remained steadfast in Buhari, having adjudged him as not only being a person of integrity, simplicity, probity and strong character like him but as the best person among all those that had been aspiring to lead Nigeria since 2003.

“Anueyiagu sees Buhari as possessing similar qualities like him and has not hidden his support for him and even campaigned more for him than some of Buhari’s party people,” the journalists said.

They said that it would be unfair to both Sir Anueyiagu and Nigeria if he is not given any important position to serve in the coming administration and thus bring his wealth of experience for the general good of the country, having made selfless sacrifice to see Buhari through and being such a quality asset that country needs now to join in putting the country on the right track.

Basing their case on what they know as his antecedent, the group strongly vouched for him as one that is not sectional and could discharge his public responsibility creditably to the satisfaction of all and is qualified to head a government development agency or serve as a special aide to the President in the coming government and should not be excluded from serving in the government.

They implored Buhari to ensure he carries his man Anueyiagu along in his government as he assembles the team that will work with him to accomplish his mission, just as Christ went about and assembled his apostles, emphasising that both General Buhari and Anueyiagu possess the same quality of integrity, selflessness, honesty, simplicity and commitment to common good.

They recalled that while he served as the chairman of Correspondents, and even a two time chairman of the state chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Anueyiagu was such a selfless leader that he was very transparent in his running of the affairs of the chapel and chapter respectively.

“Abuchi is a good man. He is a man of principle and stands firm on any cause he believes in, just as he firmly stood by his belief in Buhari despite threats and today he is vindicated and should be rewarded for his steadfastness and candidness”, the statement said.

Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu is a trained journalist, Development expert and such a nice fellow that the Church found him worthy of Knighthood, among other leadership positions he has held in the Church”, the statement said.

•Photo shows Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu.