Members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger Council have re-elected the state correspondent of People’s Daily newspaper to pilot the affairs of the chapel in the next three years.
The former Secretary, Atori Okpole Daniel of New Telegraph newspapers also retained his position, while Princillia Dennis of Daily Post (online) who had served as Financial Secretary in the past three years is now the Treasurer.
Other newly inaugurated chapel exco included; Nura Mohammed of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Vice chairman, Rita Iliya of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Financial Secretary, Abubakar Akote of Daily Trust Newspapers, Assistant Secretary while Mustapha Batsari of Voice of America (VOA) is now the Auditor.
In his remarks during the inauguration which took place at the Correspondent’s Chapel office, behind the CBN office, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Abu Nmodu, enjoined the re-elected chairman to build on what has earned him the second term and to carry along all members, other exco members in particular.
Though the first tenure faced avoidable challenges, Comrade Abu encourage Bina to be assertive in managing the affairs of the chapel and members within the constitutional provisions of the union, rights and privileges of his members.
While calling on journalists in the state to remain resolute in carrying out their constitutional obligations despite noticeable societal pitfalls, Abu Nmodu advised Correspondent chapel members to support the present executive to succeed.
Chairman of the, Correspondent Chapel Electoral Commiittee (CCEC), Chinwendu Nnadozie, had earlier lamented the challenges faced in ensuring the emergence of the current chapel exco.
The election would have been held since November, 2023 but postponed at the instance of the state Council because of the NAWOJ delegates conference and the Council’s Press Week.
Chinwendu who called for better and more discrete approach to handling election matters and managing Chapels under the Council to avoid creating enemty among members, said at the inception of the Commiittee’s assignment, all the positions were un-opposed except for the Chairmanship seat.
She further explained that, John Adams of, Sun newspaper purchased Chairmanship form to challenge the re-election of Mustapha Bina, but later stepped down few days to the election/inauguration.
In his acceptance speech, the re-elected Chapel chairman, Mustapha Bina promised to right perceived wrongs in his first tenure by considering interests of members above that of his.
The chairman who described unionism as more about ensuring welfare of ALL members pledged to liaise with federal and state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the betterment of the chapel this his second term.
