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In a bid to foster unity and collective progress, the Chairman of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, has called on members to put aside their differences and work together.
Ahmed made this appeal on Tuesday ( August 20, 2024) during a thank-you visit to the Correspondents’ Chapel, Ilorin, where he emphasized the need for reconciliation and collaboration to improve the welfare of members and ensure their protection.
The visit was in appreciation of the chapel’s overwhelming support and trust in the State Working Committee (SWC) during the recently concluded State Triennial Conference of the Union, which saw the re-election of Ahmed as state Chairman, Hajia Binta Abubakar-Mora as Vice Chairman and election of others into the SWC.
Ahmed underscored the significance of the Correspondents’ Chapel, acknowledging its members as pivotal to the success of the union’s activities.
He admonished that the last election should not be viewed as a battle with winners and losers but rather as an opportunity to build a stronger and more united union.
The NUJ chairman called on members to join hands with the SWC in fostering a peaceful and progressive environment within the council.
“Members of the SWC are here to say thank you to the Correspondents’ Chapel. You are our leaders and mentors, and we deeply appreciate your trust in us. The council holds this chapel in high esteem, and that’s why we are here to extend our hand of fellowship. In this just concluded state triennial conference, there was no victor, no vanquished. We are peace-loving people, and we are committed to reconciliation”, Ahmed said.
Acknowledging that no mortal is immune to shortcomings, Ahmed appealed for the continued support of the chapel members and other members in the council.
He stressed the importance of collaboration to improve the welfare of members and ensure their protection.
Responding, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mallam AbdulHakeem Garuba, expressed gratitude to the council leadership for the visit, reiterating the chapel’s commitment to peace and unity.
He advised the council leadership to always seek a balanced perspective by listening to all sides on any issue before making decisions.
Other key figures in the chapel including Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin and Mr Nicholas Nwerunoye, also commended the SWC for reaching out and urged the council leadership to maintain an open-door policy, where all voices are heard and considered.
In a related development, the leadership of the Kwara State Council of the NUJ also had an interface with the executive of the Kwara State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
The meeting was convened to express gratitude for NAWOJ’s support and to discuss the importance of adherence to the union’s Constitution, especially in membership drive and the conduct of elections.
The Chairman of the council, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, praised the current NAWOJ leadership for their achievements and challenged the incoming administration to raise the bar even higher.
He also emphasized the need for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, particularly in ensuring that only qualified aspirants and financially up-to-date members participate in NAWOJ’s forthcoming elections.
Ahmed urged the Credentials Committee to be thorough and impartial, ensuring discipline within the association regardless of individual status.
Corroborating this stance, the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Hajia Binta Abubakar-Mora, called on women journalists to take the association’s congresses seriously, regretting that some aspirants with proven competence and capacity to lead would be affected due to poor attendance.
She encouraged female journalists to be more active in the council’s activities to maintain their eligibility for leadership positions.
The Secretary of the State Council, Mallam Mahmood Olayinka Alaya, who also lent his voice, reiterated the council’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that the timing of congresses had been adjusted to accommodate the schedules of women journalists.
The National Treasurer of NAWOJ, Mrs Fatimah Rasheed, stressed the importance of meeting both financial and qualification requirements for the aspirants and nominators.
She urged the credentials committee to enforce strict compliance with the union’s constitution.
The latest series of engagements underscore the Kwara NUJ leadership’s commitment to fostering unity, upholding professionalism, and ensuring that the union remains a strong and inclusive body.
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