Black African Queen, Udeme Clement, who works with the Financial Business News, emerged the first female Chairman, Powerful Pen Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State at National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) headquarters in Apapa Lagos on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
The election was conducted by Lagos NUJ Exco members under the able leadership of Adeleye Ajayi in an exercise adjudged to be well organised and highly transparent, as all members of the chapel and journalists from other media organisations observed the election from beginning to the end.
Speaking on the occasion, President, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Comrade Ray Ochuchukwu, who commended Ajayi and his Exco members for a job well done, expressed optimism that Lagos NUJ under Ajayi as Chairman is moving forward on the right track.
In her acceptance speech, Udeme thanked Lagos NUJ Chairman and his team for their patience, tolerance and the transparent manner in which they handled the process.
Udeme, known to be a hard-working and intelligent journalist has worked in reputable media organisations before she joined the Financial Business News.
She did three months internship programme with MiTV, while at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ). After her National Diploma in Mass Communication from NIJ, did the mandatory one-year industrial training with the News Magazine, Tempo and PM News publishers.
Udeme also worked as a Senior Correspondent with Daily Times Newspaper – covering industry; worked on the Energy Desk of ThisDay Newspaper. She equally worked with Vanguard Newspaper – covering Maritime, and currently with Financial Business News.
Udeme was recently honoured with the Award of Excellence as the best maritime journalist of the year, is known for her discipline, honesty integrity and humility in carrying out her professional duties.
Some of her colleagues, who spoke with TheNewExperience Newspaper after the election, described her as respectful, hard-working and resilient, while others said her intelligence and good behaviour were influenced by her religious background, as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Her academic background also contributed greatly to her career prospects. For instance, she was among the three best graduating students at Masters’ Degree Level, from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in the 2016 academic session, department of Public Administration (MPA). She graduated with PhD with 4.6-grade points.
she holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Economics and a National Diploma in Mass Communication,
The Powerful Pen Media Chapel is made up of members of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN). The Chapel through its monthly programmes and responsible reportage has added value to the maritime industry tremendously.
In 2021, the Chapel has organised series of programmes, including the special Congress on Apapa perennial traffic gridlock, Nigeria’s readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA); the National Maritime Summit, maritime sector review, where stakeholders from various organisations assembled and assessed the performance of the sector in 2021 half year.
The Chapel also organised a special congress that focused on the sustainability of NIMASA”s Deep Blue project,” among others. Recall that it was after the Powerful Pen Chapel special Congress, held on January 14, 2021, on Apapa traffic that the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), introduced the Electronic Call-up system in February to tackle the Apapa traffic crisis.
The powerful pen Media Chapel also was the first group to organise a programme on NIMASA’s Deep Blue project, where a communiqué was officially issued, even before President Muhammadu Buhari launched the assets in Lagos. Expectations are high Under the incoming Exco as members want more progress for the Chapel. Udeme commended Comrade Ugochukwu for the achievements and successes recorded by the Chapel to Ugochukwu’s doggedness and visionary leadership.
Other Members of the new executive includes Asuquo Nowak (Vice-Chairman), Silas Onuoha (Secretary), Dili Utomi (Assistant Secretary), Patrick Onugbor (Financial Secretary), Ossy Onyenwezi (Treasurer) and Joe Njoku (Internal Auditor).
NUJ Lagos State Chairman Mr Leye Ajayi while swearing -in the new Exco of the powerful pen Media chapel advised the new Exco to work harder to move the chapel to greater heights. He said being the baby of the Lagos State NUJ chapel other chapels are looking at powerful pen Media chapel for growth, productivity, efficiency and transparency. He finally thanked members of the chapel and the Lagos State NUJ Exco for a successful election in spite of the initial hiccups.