The Taraba State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Thursday endorsed the candidature of Alhaji Waheed Odusile as the next Deputy President of the union, come May 25, 2012.
In an unprecedented manner, the council Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Gambo, raised Odusile’s hand amidst ovation from the state’s delegates and assured him of total support.
It has been accolades all the way for Odusile, who kicked off his campaign on Tuesday, as he embarked on his campaign in the Northern part of the country.
The campaign team, which touched down in Makurdi, Benue State, on Tuesday, has been moving from one state to the other preaching the gospel of ‘change’ and ‘service’ as cardinal points of its programme.
The six-man team, led by the Chairman of Lagos Council of the NUJ, Comrade Deji Elumoye, has on board the Financial Secretary of the Lagos council, Ayo Ilori; a Media Consultant, Otunba Yomi Olomofe; and the Director of the Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Olalekan Osiade.
They arrived into the warm embrace of the Zone D Conference of the union and were received by the Vice President of the zone, Joyce Bur Akuraga, assisted by zonal and council officials.
Receiving Odusile and his entourage, the Chairman and Secretary of Benue Council, expressed delight and appreciation to the visiting team for deeming it fit to accord respect on the zone, by making it their first port of call.
One after the other, the zonal officers and council officials present at the occasion appreciated Odusile for his perseverance and belief in the union.
They also attested to his track record and intimidating credentials, saying his achievements speak volume and as such, he is the man to beat in the election.
On Wednesday, the team was in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
On the Plateau, the story was not different as the state council, led by its Chairman, Kadapba Gobum, rolled out the drums to welcome the ‘leader’, as Odusile is fondly called.
Applauding Odusile’s endorsement by the Lagos Council, the Plateau State NUJ Secretary, Isaac Shobayo, said he is not surprised, having known Odusile for over 20 years.
The Vice President of Zone E, Alhaji Mukthar Gidado, who received the team in Bauchi State, said it is heart-warming to know that odusile has transversed the length and breadth of the country while his opponents were ‘sleeping’.
In Gombe on Thursday, the campaign team was not only accepted, it was also reassured of 100 per cent vote from the state.
The Chairman of Gombe NUJ, Comrade Al-hassan Yahya, did not mince words when he reiterated the fact that Gombe and Lagos councils of the union have come a long way and have over 20 years of working relationship.
Members of the union in the state were unanimous when they echoed a speech from one of them, who had promised full support for the ambition of Odusile.
In the words of the Secretary, Comrade Peter Mele: “Gombe is solidly behind Odusile and one of us has spoken our minds.”
The train later moved to Yola, Adamawa State, on Thursday, where Odusile also wooed delegates from the state.