By Joseph Edegbo :

The Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF has congratulated the newly inaugurated ExCos of the Kaduna Council of the NUJ led by Hajia Asma’u Yawo Halilu.

In a congratulatory letter presented to Hajia Asma’u during a courtesy visit Thursday, AMDF Executive Director, Mr Iliya Kure observed that the overwhelming support given to her was a clear attestation to the uncommon sterling qualities God had endowed her with.

Mr. Kure who led a team, expressed confidence that from her professional competence and spirit of comradeship, the new Chairman would steer the affairs of the Union in Kaduna State to an enviable level.

The AMDF Executive Director therefore pledged the readiness of the organisation to provide professional support to the Union, under her leadership, especially in the area of capacity building for both leaders and members.

Furthermore, Mr. Kure said, the AMDF would assist in drawing up a strategic master plan derivable from the Mission and Vision of the Council to be fashioned out by the organisation.

This, he believes, will assist in taking the union to a greater height.

As the name implies, Mr. Kure emphasized, the AMDF’s operations cut across Africa including organizing Conferences, Awards to Journalists who distinguished themselves in the discharge of their professional callings.

Responding, the highly elated Council Chairman thanked the organisation for the visit coming shortly after their inauguration and its willingness to partner the Union in offering professional and leadership trainings to members of the Union.

She noted alot of shortcomings among some members in the practice of the profession adding that the Council would always be ready to avail members as well as the Exco for the training.

Asma’u said, she was encouraged by the visit assuring that her emergence is a new dawn in the history of the Kaduna State Council of the NUJ

The General Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council has condemned in strong terms the Immediate past EXCO for disregarding directives of the National Secretariat on issues bothering the Council election including the inauguration of the new executives.

Consequently, the Congress has set up Ethics and Disciplinary, as well as Transition committees to probe their activities

A communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the Congress Thursday, also condemned the out gone Executives for not welcoming the National Vice President and Secretary Zone ‘A’ ( Northwest).

Similarly, it condemned the Executives for not handing over Stewardship report and other properties of the Union in their custody.

“For all their misdemeanor, Congress passed a vote of no confidence on both the out gone and the Credentials Committee, stripping them off, all their rights and privileges, ” the Communique stated.

The Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has Mr. Andrew Fadason as Chairman with Gabriel Idibia Secretary, and Fatima Aliyu Member.

Mr. Joseph Edegbo is to chair that of Transition, with Dorothy Abiriyi as Secretary, and Benjamin Auta member. They have 3- working days to conclude their assignment, the communique emphasized.

By Joseph Edegbo:

The newly sworn-in Executives of the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, have pledged to flush out quacks from the Union.

This is with a view to repositioning and restoring the dented image of the profession.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration supervised by national officers of the Union, the Council Chairman, Hajia Asma’u Yawo Halilu noted that some individuals have infiltrated the Union and had succeeded in given Journalism a bad name.

Reflecting the overwhelming support from members which led to her emergence , Hajia Asma’u thanked them for their sacrifice adding that the Council would not take for granted.

“Comrades, today is a special day for me, not because I have emerged as the Chairman of our great Council, but because since I was born, I have never enjoyed such an overwhelming support towards achieving a set goal, like I did, in this contest.

“First, I thank God, the Almighty, for His goodness, protection and helping us make history on this day. I also thank everyone here for all the sacrifices you made to make this possible. I will never take your sacrifices for granted and will make us all proud.

“One of the first things we will do is to work towards reuniting our divided council. In this regard, we will soon set up a reconciliation committee that will work at uniting us all, so that, together, we can achieve the desired goals.

“Secondly, we will restore and uphold professionalism by flushing out quacks from the union. This is necessary because, some individuals have infiltrated our Union and have succeeded in giving journalism profession a bad name.

“We will also prioritise the welfare of all members. The new Executives will as a matter of priority, use what we have at our disposal to generate income for the council.

“Our Team will continually provide capacity building opportunity for all members and ensure resumption of active sporting activities, as they say, sports unite people.

“Most importantly, we will give our secretariat a befitting look and make it very comfortable for all members to return to, for relaxation after work.

“We therefore seek your support to make progress in the coming days ahead. We also call on you all to be available when we called upon to shoulder a responsibility”, she concludes.