Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has donated an 18-seater bus to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra Council.
Obiano made the donation when he received the newly-elected leadership of the council, led Dr Emeka Odogwu, in his Aguleri country home, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
Obiano, who congratulated the new NUJ executives for their success at the Jan 28 Triennial Delegates Congress, said the vehicle is to facilitate the activities of the union.
The governor had earlier led the team of journalists and members of Ex-Rangers International of Enugu Players Association on a tour of the Anambra International Convention Centre, Awka, and the Anambra Cargo Airport, Umueri.
In his speech, Odogwu said he and his members had come to pay homage to the governor, who engendered free press in the state by not influencing reportorial judgments or harassing practitioners.
Odogwu said the NUJ is extending its hands of partnership to the Obiano administration in spite of the fact that his emergence was towards the end of his tenure.
The chairman described the convention centre and airport as legacy projects which would not only outlive his administration but put Anambra on the map.
He said it was a pleasant reality that Anambra people could now access any part of the country and by extension the world from Umueri, while the state could host any event of whatever magnitude.
He restated the union’s readiness to support the next administration for greater peace and progress of Anambra.
On their part, the Ex-Rangers FC players thanked Obiano for paying them monthly stipends, including the 13th month, without defaulting all through his tenure.
Emmanuel Okala, who spoke on behalf of the former players, said the payments brought so much relief to them, adding that all ex-Rangers FC players received the money irrespective of their state of origin.
Also speaking, Harrison Okagbue said they were already missing Obiano who would hand over on March 17, and urged the governor to ensure that the tradition continues after him.
Okagbue, a former coach of Cranes of Uganda, said they had come to appreciate the governor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ex-players which included Christian Chukwu, Victor Nwangu, Paul Obiako, Arthur Ebunam, and Francis Nwosu, among others, presented a Rangers-branded jersey No.1 to the governor in appreciation for his gestures. (NAN)
