By Joseph Edegbo
The outgoing Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has rolled out its successes within the period in office from 2018 to 2021.
In what looks like part of a valedictory note, the Chairman, Comrade Adamu Yusuf chronicled the achievements of the council to arouse thumbs up.
Titled “Our stewardship (2018 – 2021) Under Adamu Yusuf (Chairman of NUJ Kaduna Council)” states below;
NUJ Secretariat -:
Formalised the process of securing Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) of our secretariat with KADGIS
Submitted an all inclusive building plan (As-Built Design)for a new secretariat to KASUPDA awaiting for approval.
Secured 10 plots of land located behind the NYSC camp from Late Sunny Okogu.
Secured 5 slots at TUC housing estate for our members.
Renovated the Secretariat and fixed all broken doors and windows.
Commercialized the gate to generate revenue with all members excluded from paying gate fees.
Administration -:
Redesigned the Secretariat to make it digitally responsive
Created functional social media handles for the Exco, Council and Committees
Prompt Payment of Salaries
Presented quarterly Financial Reports
Relied on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to run affairs of the Council .
Operated an Open-Door financial policy with transparent accounting system .
NUJ Facilities -:
Constructed a borehole at the Secretariat.
Fixed damage water supply source and restored portable water supply.
Secured pre-paid meter to avoid paying of high bills to Kaduna Electric.
Leased out NUJ canteen for effective service delivery to members
Leased out the General toilets to provide clean and functional convinience for our members. Note that our members don’t pay a kobo instead we pay.
Leased out chalets as part of efforts to upgrade it as well as to generate revenue. With substantive agreement that our members enjoy reasonable discount.
Gave Financial Assistance to members during COVID-19 lockdown.
NUJ Routine Activities -:
Organised Press Week
Organised Training workshop (Skill Acquisition )
Media Parleys between NUJ and NB Plc
Presented merit awards to members
Organized a Colloquium/Public Lecture to celebrate democracy day, and world press day.
Partnered with Kaduna State Government to inspect some projects executed by the government of Nasir El-rufai.
Hosted the Northwest Zonal meeting /Media roundtable in collaboration with Northwest Zone.
Training of Members-:
Partnered with KADNEP to organize a two-day workshop for 30 members in Zaria on nutrition
Organised one-day security reporting workshop in collaboration with Nonviolent Institute ,Abuja for 40 journalists.
Organised an Entrepreneurship Training for some members in areas of fisheries and poultry.
Partnered Eye Center for Medical Check Up at NUJ Secretariat.
Vehicle Maintenance -:
Fixed and sprayed the bus
Fixed and sprayed the Peugeot Partner
Sold the Secretary’s Toyota Camry to a Colleague (Congress decision)
Wrote NB Plc to help fix the Bus and action already taken in that regard
Exco Interventions -:
Encouraged members to contribute when any member is sick or in the event of death, a strategy implored to avoid going to politicians to seek assistance or beg.
Render frequent assistance to our late members as well as their widows.
Visited orphanages and presented food items.
Gave cash to some widows and veterans in need during press week.
Stood with our members who have court cases , those incarcerated in prisons and detained in police stations etc.
Encouraged members who created contact for press Conferences 20 percent as Commission.
NEC Meeting -:
Despite our poor finances and lack of support , we have never missed NEC meetings or any National Events.
Other activities -:
Ensured peace and unity remain our top most priority.
Ensured that whatever we did was in line with our constitution especially during elections and the decision of the Congress are always taken seriously.
We ensure that unity was restored in the council following the impeachment saga of the former chairman Garba Mohammed.
Resolved the SWAN problem in Kaduna and reinstated all the suspended members
Ensured the NUJ Secretariat was regularly cleaned with two standby cleaners engaged.