By JOY MBACHI

Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has attributed the success of his administration to the robust media support he enjoys with media practitioners in Anambra.

Esimone spoke when members of the newly-elected executives of the Anambra State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), paid him a courtesy call in Awka on Monday.

Esimone expressed delight over the triumph of Odogwu in the election, held on 28 January, commending members of the union for believing in Odogwu and his executive members.

He assured that he will continue to give the union all necessary support.

Esimone said that his administration would not have achieved record successes without the help of journalists in the state, and solicited for the continuous support of the “men of the pen profession”, indicating no organisation can survive without the assistance of the media.

“The media do not only play the role of the watch dog of the society, they keep the public on its toes to do what is right as well as set agenda for the all public office holders to be proficient,” he said.

Earlier, Odogwu appreciated the VC for his warm reception and said that the team was on its familiarisation tour to seek for enhanced cordial relationship between the union and the institution, also called UNIZIK.

Odogwu expressed gratitude to the VC for his unflinching support to him during the Anambra NUJ election and reemphasised the commitment of his administration to redefine the journalism profession.

He promised that the union would not relent in its support to the university, stressing that such support will come through the coverage of the activities of the institution to give the school its rightful place on the global academic map.

In a vote of thanks, the Vice Chairman of the Anambra NUJ, Mrs Ngozi Obileri, of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, thanked Esimone for the warm reception accorded the visiting team.

Obileri assured that the good relationship that existed between the two bodies since he assumed office would be maintained in a positive way to reach out to the outside world on the great potentials that abound in the institution.

She said that the media would continue to do their jobs professionally and urged the institution not to hesitate to call on them any time the need arises.

“The role of the media is to tell the truth and inform the public rightly as well as to set the agenda for the public to be conscious of their environment.

“We at all times will continue to play our part to ensure that the relationship is maintained,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all members of the executives, namely, Secretary, Aloysius Ofordile, Treasurer, Ogemdi Ozoemenam, John Ndu, Financial Secretary, Okechukwu Onuegbu, Assistant Secretary, and Ifeyinwa Iloanya, Auditor of the union, was present during the visit.

NAN reports that Odogwu is a journalism teacher at the University, Assistant Director Unizik Business School, Editor, Authority Newspaper South East 1. He is married and hails from Amanuke in Anambra senatorial zone of the state. (NAN)