By Adamu Yusuf:
My close relationship with Late Chief Dominic Uzu began when I was the Secretary of Government House Press Unit during the Administration of Governors Namadi Sambo, Late Patrick Yakowa and Ramalan Yero.
At that time, the Council was fully in charge of general assignments and some special assignments within and outside Government House . Most often , our ‘welfare’ came through the Council and Dominic then was the Secretary of the Council.
While I was contesting the Chairmanship of FRCN Kaduna Chapel election, Dominic Uzu screened the contestants, approved it and later sworn in the Newly Executive Members under my leadership .
Above all, during the impeachment saga that rocked the Kaduna Council in 2016, Dominic Uzu played a prominent role to see that I became the Chairman of the Council through bye election on the 5th of February, 2017.
Having been seen as a repository of knowledge in unionism , especially in NUJ affairs, Dominic Uzu served various committees under my leadership more than any other time for the benefit of the union. .
Positions he held from February, 2017 to February 2020 included:
a, Chairman Welfare Committee
b, Ex officio
c, Chairman Credential Committee
d, Secretary of Disciplinary Committee
Assignments
a, National Delegate Conference Kano
b, Visit to Senate President
c, Visit to National Hajj Commission of Nigeria
d, Visit to Late Chief Sunny Okogwu
e, Attended Workshop on Malnutrition, Zaria
f, Last NEC meeting in Lokoja, among several others
His Contributions To the Council
Uzu was an institution in NUJ Constitution. which he always interprete to settle matters or crisis.
, He always took the bull by the horn and wasn’t afraid to call a spade by it’s original name no matter the position.
, A man with one thousand and one proverbs.
You can’t beat him during an argument.
He respected elders and the young ones and held no malice against anybody. He had special respect for Vice President, Comrade Yusuf Idris, whom he served as Secretary as well as the present Secretary John Femi Adi and the National President of NUJ , Chris Isiguzo.
He stood to ensure the success of Arewa Online Publishers Association’s first outing .He was always identifying with NAWOJ and SWAN.
Dominic served as our coach during the novelty match preceding our press week. He stood at the line to coordinate our players.
Dominic Uzu always remembered his colleagues particularly the old ones. He used to remind me of Idris Egaji of Thisday. “Chair pls remember Idris Egaji”.
He knew every member very well except few who could misunderstand him probably because he exposed their questionable behaviour .
A caring father, having considered the education of his children a priority, Dom was called to mother earth while accompanying his daughter to school .
The National body of Nigeria Union of Journalists under the leadership of Comrade Chris Isiguzo broke the sad news of Dominic’s death on the NEC platform on Tuesday afternoon in which all the Councils commiserated and condoled with the family .
Dominic Uzu’s demise occupied the whole social media for days, numerous calls and messages of condolences from States and the National Officers.
Though, Chief Dominic Uzu is no more , his spirit will continue to live with us forever
May God give the family and our Members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Adieu Chief Dominic Uzu (Dom)!
ADAMU YUSUF IS THE CHAIRMAN, KADUNA STATE COUNCIL OF THE NUJ.
