By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
SEVEN member executives on Wednesday emerged unopposed to pilot the affairs of the Sokoto state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) for the next 3 years under the Chairmanship of Dalhatu Abdullahi Safiyel Magori of NTA and his Secretary , Nasiru M. Bello of NAN.
The Magori led executives took over from the Isah Abubakar led team, in a smooth process after been administered the oath of office at the Zuru road, Sokoto NUJ Secretariat under the supervision of the Zone ” A” Zonal Vice President, Comrade Tukur Dutsen Mari and the Zonal Secretary respectively.
Others who emerged included : Abbas Tukur Sanyinna( Vice Chairman), Aliyu Muhammad Shuni(Treasurer), Tukur Aliyu Arkilla(Asst. Secretary), Abubakar Isah( Fin. Secretary) and Nura Bello Maikwanci(Auditor).
In his remarks , the Special Guest of Honour and the state Commissioner of Finance, Abdulsamad Dauki noted the enviable contributions of the union towards the development of the state and country as a whole.
He further admonished members of the fourth estate of the realms to always exhibit professionalism , uphold public interest with sense of objectivity and accuracy in the interest of unity , peace and stability of he country.
Also, the state Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Hon. Isah Bajini Galadanci urged members of he profession to strengthen the confidence of government and the public through promoting factual and objective information that would project positive development .
According to Bajini” we have always encouraged cordial relationship and mural understanding between the government and the union . We appreciate the good understanding and acknowledge the contributions of the immediate past executives who we believe the new set will emulate them and do more to deepen our long standing relationship .”
However, the Zonal Vice President , Tukur Dutsen Mari expressed satisfaction with the rancour free emergence of the new executives , noted that it was a wonderful outcome that sought to promote understanding and unity among members of the Sokoto state Council.
” My self and the Zonal Secretary are impressed with the outcome which is a clear demonstration of the needed maturity and unity in the union and wish to commend Isah Shuni and the credential committee for the smooth outcome “, he said .
In their respective speeches , the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Muhammad Bello Gwiwa and his Youths and Sports counterpart, Bashir Usman Gorau described journalism as a dependable professional instrument that pilots unity,peace and progress in view of its role as watch dog of the society.
According to the duo who congratulated both the out gone and newly inaugurated executives , emphasised the need for practitioners to focus on promotion public and national interests in an objective, factual and honest perspective not promoting sensational information that could be injurious to he development and progress of he society .
” You are the watch dogs of the society and the voice of the voiceless by the nature of years your job. Be objective and factual at all times”, they cautioned.
Earlier, the immediate past chairman, Isah Abubakar Shuni who reeled out his achievements in the areas of sponsoring of member to obtain minimum professional certificate at the Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, council secretariat’s building completion , construction of a Badminton court, drilling of borehole as well the construction of a mosque in the secretariat, said he had confidence in the newly inaugurated executives .
He urged them strive hard to do more than they inherited and uphold the virtues of promoting unity and harmonious working relations among members, government and above all, the interest of the public for development.
However, in his post election speech, Dalhatu Safiya Magori described his emergence as God’s will through popular calls by members.
According to him” I did not contest but was called upon . “
The newly elected chairman who sailed through after a co-contestant , Sirajo Dalhatu Sifawa withdrew shortly before the date of election , made a strong commitment of running an open , objective and members oriented leadership that would always promoted collectivity and transparency .
According to him” I am just a chairman by identity but the seat is for all members of this great union which together we shall work to achieve the desired objective as professionals.
” We shall run an open union where everyone is expected to play a role in order to serve the interest of members and for the development of the profession, state and nation”, said Magori who seized the space of time to thank members for their understanding and the smooth emergence of the executives without rancour.
