The new leadership of Borno Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) under the leadership of Inusa Ndahi of Vanguard newspaper has assumed office.
The executive emerged unopposed in an election held on Saturday in Maiduguri, supervised by leadership of the state Acting Chairman of NUJ, Babagana Bukar.
Administering the oath of office on the new executive, Bukar urged them to reciprocate the confidence in them through exemplary leadership.
He lauded the effective role being played by the Correspondents’ Chapel in promoting quality journalism and assured the mother union support at all time.
Earlier, the out-going Chairman of the chapel, Haruna Dauda of VOA who presided over a Triennial Congress before the inauguration of the new leadership congratulated the new executive and urged to sustain the tempo and work for a more united chapel.
Dauda who listed some of successes recorded under his administration, lauded the support and cooperation of members and urged them to extend same to the new leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Ndahi expressed gratitude to God for the development and thanked members for giving them the opportunity to lead.
Ndahi also lauded members of the electoral committee for their sacrifice towards a successful congress.
“Let me quickly acknowledge the presence of the NUJ officials here who despite their tight schedules, created time to be with us, monitor and supervise this epoch-making event.
“We would like to specially, and due regards thank and appreciate the outgoing Excos, led by a distinguished gentleman, Alhaji Haruna Dauda Biu of the VOA Hausa service, for providing all the needed inputs and advice from the point of inaugurating the Electoral Committee and the constant advice to candidates to go about their campaigns with decorum.
“For our supporters, we say a big thank you, and we will continue to rely on you all for good advice that would collectively move the Chapel forward,” Ndahi said.
While noting that leadership in union is basically to promote welfare of members, Ndahi assured that the new leadership would work towards that and promote capacity building for members
“In any Union of people and professionals, the task of a leader is to ensure the welfare of its members. This is sacrosanct and non-negotiable. Therefore as your elected servants, we will never relent in making sure that we pursue vigorously and in dignity all other means to ensure that your welfare issues are improved and better than the commenced efforts made by the past dispensations. But we must remind you all that this cannot be possible without your cooperation, support and unity.
“Very importantly, this new leadership will ensure that there is discipline – both professional and of character among members. While we would struggle to ensure that we engage relevant stakeholders in developing and improving members’ editorial capacity through seminars, workshops and refresher training, we would also put in place strict disciplinary measures to check our professional conduct and our behaviours as mirrors of the society.
“We will enshrine transparency and accountability in our dealings with you and we would be open to constructive and value-adding suggestions and criticism.
“This Chapel shall work with the government and the private sector to see that we develop our dear state Borno, especially by supporting the 25 Years Development Plan that seeks to take our people out of the setbacks caused by the 13 years old Boko Haram insurgency.
“I won’t end this speech without asking us to pray for our departed colleagues who were with us some years ago. Fresh among them in our minds are Late Kolomi Dala, Sunday Nwankwo, Dauda Mbaya and Ben Aidokanya. May their souls rest in peace. May God continue to comfort their families,” the chairman added.
Highlight of the occassion is presentation of Certificate of Return to members of the new executive which includes Hamza Suleiman of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Vice Chairman, Alfa Ismail Abdulrahim of Associated Press (AP) as Secretary, Mari Ahmed of Champion as Assistant Secretary, Bilyaminu Yusuf of Radio France International (RFI) as Treasurer, and Julius Emmanuel of TVC as Auditor.
