By Samson Obande,  Lafia

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Nasarawa State Council have elected Mrs Juliana Ofoku, a Deputy Director in the Nasarawa State Ministry of Information, as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Nasarawa State Council, becoming the first woman to lead the union in the state.

Her victory followed months of advocacy by supporters who urged journalists to elect the council’s first female chairman.

In the keenly contested election held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the NUJ State Secretariat in Lafia, Ofoku polled 96 votes to defeat Mr. Samson Jonah of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, NBS, who scored 89 votes, and Mr. Sunday John of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, who garnered 61 votes.

Other members of the new executive council elected are: 

– Secretary: Ibrahim Dauda 

– Assistant Secretary: Regina David 

– Treasurer: Adamu Elafikwu Joel 

– Auditor: Bilkisu Adamu 

During the Election,  two positions including the vice chairman and Financial Secretary were not contested for.

Similarly,  the development indicates that six Chapels of the council,  namely NBS, Correspondent Chapel,  NTA Chapel, FRCN North Central,  Federal information and Breeze FM have no representative in the new state Executive Council.

The State information Chapel however has four representative in the council,  including the chairman,  Secretary,  Treasurer and Auditor-General.

Journalists across the state have since congratulated the newly elected officers, expressing confidence in their capacity to advance members’ welfare and strengthen the union in Nasarawa State.