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By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Newly elected chairmen of the correspondents’ chapel, Bauchi state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Ra’uf Oyewole has vowed to ensure that the chapel is blind to ethnicity and religion in members discharge of their day -today professional responsibilities
He said, “We are going to make sure that this chapel is blind to ethnicity and religion. We are not going to discriminate against anybody whatsoever. And we will ensure that, as promised, every member of this chapel is carried along in whatever opportunities and benefits that might come in the process of our leadership”.
Malam Ra’uf Oyewole in a post elections speech, held at the Correspondents’ Chapel Secretariat, Bauchi Wednesday, appealed to members to put all differences aside and build a chapel that they could all be proud of, saying “I know no matter how long we stay, we will leave this chapel one day”.
Oyewole who observed that the chapel’s set objectives cannot be achieved without members collective support and cooperation, recalled “There are people who have been here before us, and whether we like it or not, we will one day leave, but we want to leave this chapel better than we met it, Inshallah”.
Crowned as the Sarkin Hausa of NUJ Bauchi, the chapel new leader explained that his victory is not a personal triumph, but rather a responsibility entrusted to him by members of the chapel, most especially the senior colleagues in the profession.
Oyewole attributed his triumph in the elections to the keen desire by members to make a difference in the chapel leadership, however drew members attention to the enormous challenges ahead of of the new leadership to deliver quality representation and build a stronger union, as he assured of success with God and members by the drive
He said, “I know this election has produced new leaders but it has not produced winners and losers. We are all winners and in the spirit of this that I extend my hand of fellowship to embrace my big brother -Samuel Luka and every other contestant to see this victory and triumph as a win for all, let us build this Chapel to the best of our ability for generations to come”.
“The campaign might have divided our choices, but it must not divide our fraternity. The unity that has been built by our elders must not be destroyed.
On our promises: During the campaign, we have promised to be just, fair, transparent and improve the welfare of our colleagues. Most importantly, hand-on training that will improve our professional skills”.
Oyewole further assured of the new leadership’s commitment to facilitate positive change, and urged members to track their promises as the ship of the the chapel is being steered, , saying “We shall move from promises to opportunities, from individual struggle to collective progress. As we have promised you, we will eliminate divisive tendencies and embrace unity”.
Oyewole also assured “We will work to ensure that every correspondent conduct his or her constitutional duties without fear. As promised, we will leverage on partnership with relevant organisations to bring real development. Idid not ask you to elect me so that I could lead you alone”.
He added, “I asked you to elect me so that together we can build a professional Union where no member is left behind because they lacked information, connection or opportunity. The election has ended. The work begins today. Let’s build the Chapel we all can be proud of”.
Bauchi State NUJ Council Chairman, Isa Garba Gadau in a remark asked the chapel new leadership to carry every member along, stressing, “So nobody should be left behind. This is necessary, you should carry everybody along. Don’t allow any sentiment or any form of division to please divide this house”.
“I am appealing on behalf of the council. And we thank God that there is an elder here. He was one time assistant secretary of the council. So what do you need? All the kind of counselling and what have you, you don’t have to go outside. You have it within the EXCO. So I also want to reaffirm our plea that you should not allow them to derail”.
The Electoral/Credentials Committee Chairman, Alh. Ahmed Mohammed commended the state council of the union for it’s support towards the smooth and successful conduct of elections, despite that it was keenly contested among members, emphasizing “So we want to appreciate all the contestants. As an elder in this chapel, I say there is no winner and no loser in this chapel”.
Alh. Ahmed who is also the outgoing chairman of the chapel, said “All of us, our goal is to see the progress and development of this chapel. So we are one. I am appealing in the name of God and in the interest of peace and progress of the chapel, after this election, please let’s continue to move as one family. Election is over, and election cannot divide us. I believe we have bond relationship among us”.
He stated “Even what we did to our colleagues shows that our relationship is strong. So please we maintain this cordial relationship. By the power conferred on me by the NUJ Constitution, I would like to announce the election result that took place this morning. Initially, we are contesting, five offices are being contested. Two are unopposed”
Others on the leadership of the chapel included Mohammed Nasiru Shu’aibu of the Telegraph Newspaper who emerged as Secretary of the chapel, while Mohammed Kawu with the New Nigerian Newspapers and David Adenuga of Vanguard Newspapers were returned Unopposed, as Adamu Shehu Imam of Trustv assumed the office of treasurer
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