By Iliya Kure
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Council, has constituted and sworn-in members of several committees to support the new leadership of the Council in discharging its duties.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of the Union, Asma’u Yawo Halilu, said members of the Committees were selected based on their track records and commitment to the union’s activities.
Stressing on her campaign promises of transforming the Union to an enviable position, Asma’u called on Members of the Committees to be diligent in the task ahead of them and terms of reference.
Responding on behalf of the various Committees, Chairman of Welfare Committee, Shindong Bala, pledged to review the operational system of welfare to address issues of retired journalists, as well as the sick and deceased members.
“The practice of tasking members to make contributions during sickness or demise of a member seems so demeaning and obsolete. We are therefore going to review that arrangement and come up with a workable plan to address it,” he said.
He said the committees will strictly adhere to the NUJ constitution, urging all members to support the Asma’u-led administration to succeed in its mandate.
“It is my honest appeal to all members of this union including those aggrieved during the just concluded election to rally round and to support the administration of Comrade Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu who has already started on sound footing to move NUJ Kaduna Council forward,” Bala said.
Members of Various Committees of NUJ Kaduna
Welfare Committee
1. Shindong Bala – Chairman
2. Tijjani Mohammed – Member
3. Fatima Umar – Member
4. Lola Sereki – Member
5. Benjamin Auta – Secretary
Press Centre Management Committee
1. Abdulwaheed Adubi – Chairman
2. Sani Abdulrahman – Member
3. Mayem Etim – Secretary
Advisory Committee
1. Alh Sani Malumfashi – Chairman
2. Mr Andrew Fadason – Member
3. Mall Yunusa Aliyu – Member
4. Mrs Helen Kofai – Member
5. Mrs Stella Bature – Member
6. Yusuf Zubairu – Member
7. Hajj Lami Sadiq – Secretary
Disciplinary Committee
1. Andrew Fadason – Chairman
2. Dorothy Abiriyi – Member
3. Fatima Aliyu – Member
4. Abduazeez Abdulkadir – Member
5. Gabriel Idibia – Secretary
Thrift And Cooperative Society Committee
1. Nasiru Mohammed – Chairman
2. Moses Kolo – Member
3. Lilian Silas – Secretary
Transition Committee
1. Joseph Edegbo – Chairman
2. Suleiman Abdullahi Rigachikun – Member
3. Abdullahi Tumburkai – Member
4. Bosan Yakusak – Member
5. Terfa Awuhe – Secretary
Ex- Officio
1. Gabriel Idibia
2. Zulkifilu Abdullahi Matata
FULL SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN WELFARE COMMITTEE OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS KADUNA STATE COUNCIL, SHINDONG BALA, DURING THE INNAUGURATION ON 6th DECEMBER 2022
I found it highly honoured to serve as the Chairman, Welfare Committee of the present executives headed by the dogged and pragmatic Chairman, Asma’u Yawo Halilu. I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to her and her team in line with the NUJ constitution.
With this being said. It is my pleasure to inform us that this committee will abide strictly by the Terms of Reference for which we are set to achieve. We are going to develop a workable operational strategy that will make our work transparent, efficient effective and acceptable.
It is not going to be business as usual, because our task is not going to end only on coming to this hall beside this table and dolling out handouts or peanuts gotten from assignments.
We will have a deliberate plan that will help see the betterment of life of our members after retirement, The practice of tasking members to make contributions during sickness or demise of a member seems so demeaning and obsolete. We are therefore going to review that arrangement and come up with a workable plan to address it.
The implication of this means that there is going to be some review of the operations of the welfare arrangement. However, whatever the plans are, they will be subject to the Exco, vis a vis congress approval.
It is my honest appeal to all members of this union including those aggrieved during the just concluded election to rally round and to support the administration of Comrade Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu who has already started on sound footing to move NUJ Kaduna Council forward.
I want to at this juncture expressed my deepest and sincere appreciation to the Chairman who deemed it worthy for us to serve at this capacity.
(Signed)
Shindong Bala
Chairman, Welfare Committee
NUJ Kaduna Council.
