…says he is bringing ” fresh breath” to the council
Mr. Festus Alenkhe(JP), a renowned crime reporter with the Edo State Broadcasting Service(EBS) is one of the candidates for the chairmanship of Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
He was born into the family of Alenkhe in Okhuesan Community, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
He attended Arinze Primary School, Benin City; Niger College, Benin City; Utoka Grammar School, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC).
He also attended the College of Education, Ekiadolor, where he studied English/Linguistics.
He holds a Diploma Certificate in Broadcast Journalism from New York Film Academy and also attended the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies and Diplomacy (B.A.). He has a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, Abuja, Nigeria.
On his “Fresh Breath for Edo NUJ”, he said,
“I have offered myself to be your very loyal and listening Chairman if elected.
“It is on this premise that I strongly call for a very peaceful and transparent ‘family election’ where there will be no “Victor, No Vanquished.”
“I see myself as coming on board to serve as a volunteer to move the union forward. The spirit of voluntarism has been in me from primary school days till date. I will not engage in a campaign of calumny.
“Let us campaign on relevant issues and tell the people why we think we should be elected.
“I am going to serve as a unifying factor to bridge the gap between our State Council and Edo State Government, Traditional Institution, Corporate Bodies, and affluent Individuals.”
On Training for Journalists from the Council
He said, “training and retraining are critical in every profession. Therefore, during my tenure in office, God willing, journalists will be opened to international media training, seminars, and conferences in United States of America, Europe, United Arab Emirates, and some African countries.”
On free internet service, he has this to say.
“Within 72 hours of my assumption as Chairman of the Edo NUJ, we shall immediately install facilities for free internet services for the use of Edo Journalists. Anyone within the premises of the press center can access the internet on their phones, laptops, or other social media devices at no cost to journalists.”
On the e-library, he said, if elected, his administration will broker a truce between the contracting firm that renovated the library in the NUJ Press Centre and the sponsor which is the University of Benin. “I will ensure that Journalists enjoy functional e-library facilities within a short time into my administration.”
According to him, the protection of journalists is important.
“An intervention team that will be led by me as chairman will be set up to intervene for journalists who have court cases or any infraction with the Police, VIO, FRSC, PUWO, ESTMA as well as journalists who acquired property that seems to be in dispute.”
He is not done, commenting on the toilet at the NUJ. He said.
“All the toilet facilities in the NUJ press center will be maintained and kept clean always. The one we have now which to me is an “eyesore” does not only require renovation but frequent maintenance. This will bring strong respite to all journalists and visitors at the Press Centre.”
On Compendiumfor journalists in the state.
“Within one year in office as chairman, we shall produce a compendium of all practicing and accredited journalists in Edo State. The compendium shall, among others have the names and pictures of all registered journalists in Edo state.
This move is to check quackery in the journalism profession in Edo State as it will help add value to NUJ electoral system.”
He also said, he will give the Press Centre a facelift, when elected as chairman by doing an extensive renovation.
On Health Care: “I will organize periodic free medical checkups for journalists in Edo State. This will begin within the first quarter of my assumption of office as Chairman.”
Going further, he said,
“Health and life insurance are key in the discharge of our duties. We shall put in place Health and Life insurance scheme for journalists in Edo State.
“The union shall enter into partnership with government agencies, Private and Corporate institutions for placement of Journalists as Chief Press Secretaries, Media Aides, and many other media openings at both local and international levels.
On infrastructural development, this is his promise.
“We will embark on the construction of a modern Hotel at the empty land within the press center through a partnership with a private investor. There is already a plan and design put up during the tenure of one of the administrations in the Edo State Council. The architectural design has been examined, found to be relevant, and worth implementing. This, we shall effectively implement.”
On the Council’s finance, he said,
“My administration will encourage financial transparency and Congress report in the operational activities of the union.”
On SWAN, this is his promise:
“A befitting office accommodation in the NUJ press center will be provided for the Edo state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN).
On Power, “We shall liaise with Edo State Government to extend the electricity from Ossiomo Power plant to the Press center as seen in most government institutions e.g. The High Court on Sapele Road, Benin City which was also extended to the Benin Branch Office of the Nigeria Bar Association.”
On Security, “We shall link up with security agencies and CCTV providers, to provide 24 hours security surveillance at the press center. This will be done with my very cordial relationship with the various security agencies in Edo State as Crime Correspondent. We shall also erect a barb wire fence to complement the CCTV installation around the moat end of the Press Centre
On Economic Empowerment for journalists:
“Journalists should be wealth creators rather than looking up to people for help. Edo State Ministry of Wealth Creation in collaboration with Trustfund Microfinance Bank, Agricultural Development Bank, Industrial Development Bank, and other notable financial institutions have been offering interest-friendly loans to the people of Edo state for small and medium scale enterprises purposes.
“There is absolutely no reason why Edo Journalists should not benefit from such program. It takes leader with vision, capacity, and compassion to put up strong representation for the people. We shall link up with relevant agencies for such soft loans for Journalists in Edo state. Also, we shall engage corporate organizations to train journalists on wealth creation and additional legal sources of income.”
