New Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Herald Newspapers Chapel, Mr Jimoh Bashir, has revealed his plans to add more value to the content of the Newspapers in order to make it regain it’s hitherto leading role among the comity of Newspapers in the country.
Bashir made the pledge on Tuesday (March 17, 2020) in his acceptance speech shortly after he was sworn in as the new Chairman of The Herald Chapel along side with other executives members of the chapel.
He disclosed that there is need for improvement in the contents of The Herald Newspapers, promising that his executives would work with relevant stakeholders in ensuring that The Herald contents is improved in all ramifications.
The new chapel Chairman called on other members to believe that a new dawn has come and also be ready to sacrifice while assuring them that unionism is not about radicalism but roundabout discussion on way forward.
Bashir, who is the Sports Editor of The Herald Newspapers, therefore thanked all and sundry for the support and encouragement,with an assurance that he would do everything within his power not to betray the confidence reposed in him.
Bashir who doubles as the Chairman of the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State chapter emerged as a popular candidate in view of his track records in the Journalism profession in the state and beyond.
In his address on the occasion, the National Financial Secretary of NUJ, Mallam Abiodun Abdulkareem agreed that it was an epoch-making event. He disclosed that in 2009 when he became the chairman of The Herald NUJ, stakeholders in the chapel had zeroed in on Jimoh Bashir “but at that material time the State SWAN also needed him to revive the union and so not to overburden him I was nominated to become the chairman.
“But today, 11 years after everybody is still insisting that he must be the chairman despite the fact that he is still the SWAN chairman. This goes to tell you that whatever God has destined must come to pass. It also tells us a lot about his character; how honest and hardworking he is. I therefore urge him to continue in the same way. I plead with his other executives to cooperate with him and also other members.,” he said.
Speaking in the same light, the Kwara state chairman of the NUJ, Mallam Umar Abdulwahab commended members of The Herald Chapel for picking a man he described as “straightforward, honest and hardworking.”
Also going down memory lane the number one journalist in Kwara state recalled that when the Correspondent Chapel was immersed in crisis both warring factions agreed on Jimoh Bashir as the arbitrator.
“Jimoh Bashir chaired the credentials committee that ushered in the present executives of the Correspondents Chapel and today the executives are doing well,” Umar said.
He stated that The Herald chapel is most blessed among the chapels in the state as it had continued to set the leadership direction in the NUJ. He therefore pleaded with all and sundry to support the new executives stressing that the State Council will definitely support them too.
In his remarks, the immediate past caretaker chairman of The Herald NUJ, Mr. Emmanuel Ogar said it had been a long journey towards inaugurating a new executive for the Chapel. He urged all members to be united and let peace reign in the Chapel.
In her goodwill message, the Ag. General Manager of The Herald Newspaper, Mrs. Afusat Amuda advised the new executive to work together with the management in moving the Corporation. She commended members for having a rancour free election and inauguration which is described as the ingredients for good leadership.
In his remarks, the News Editor of The Herald, Pastor Kayode Olasehinde also admonished every member of the union to be united and love one another stressing that the desired change and progress cannot come in a state of rancour and anarchy. “I want you to know that you have much challenge before you. We need a revival at The Herald, we expect new dreams, new vision and new direction and I pray God will be with you,” he told the new executives.
Other executives inaugurated include Miss Janet Bogunjoko as the Vice Chairman, Bar. Zarumi Mashood Sa’ad as Secretary, Mrs. Ramat Ayo Ismail as Treasurer, Mallam Zakari Suleiman as Financial Secretary and Mrs. Abubakar Khadijat Bola as Auditor.
The inauguration was witnessed by The Director of Advertisement of the Kwara State Printing and Publishing Corporation, Mrs. Falilat Olaoye; the vice chairman of the Kwara NUJ, Mallam Abubakar Mustapha; State Secretary, Deacon Omotayo Ayanda; the NUPPPROW chairman of The Herald, Comrade Abdulrazaq Abiodun and his Publicity Secretary, Comrade Olajide Olusegun.
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