NUJ Deputy National President Bows Out In Grand Style

The Deputy National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Special Adviser, Media to Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State, Alhaji Muktar Gidado has bowed out in grand style from active unionism after 23 years of impactful service to the union at various capacities.

The Deputy National President disclosed this in a thank you/farewell address during NEC meeting on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at NUJ Abuja Council Press Centre.

Gidado attributed all the privileges enjoyed, opportunity gained and promotions received in entire life, especially his appointment by the governor as special adviser on Media, to NUJ.

Mr Gidado expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for his immense love and protection through his tenure in various leadership positions in the union. He also, thanked the national president, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, particularly and NEC members in general for the love, support and cooperation given to him as the longest serving member of NEC.

The Deputy National President enjoined the present and upcoming members of NEC to sustain the bond of love and comradeship inherent in the union and pledged his solidarity and readiness to serve the union whenever such invitation is given to him. The Special Adviser prayed God to bless and keep the union strong, always.

Alhaji Gidado has served as council secretary, chairman, vice president and deputy national president, for two terms each and these positions gave him membership of NEC.

Earlier, in his address during the meeting, the national president of NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo had commended NEC members for support, cooperation and collective efforts made towards the growth and remarkable successes recorded in the union under his leadership as the president, for the period getting to three years now, which have made the union outstanding and enviable in the comity of other unions and associations.

Mr Isiguzo enumerated some of the achievements to include prompt payment of staff salaries, maintaining the facilities at the national Secretariat and keeping it bubbling with activities, holding CWC and NEC meetings regularly despite, economic recession occasioned by covid-19 lockdown.

Others were the epochal International Conference held in Port Harcourt, the first self-sponsored NEC meeting, without collaboration with any organization or individual and taking over of the production of the NUJ identify card by the national Secretariat, without involving any consultant.

The president said such diversification of resources and economic versatility helped put the union on the path of self-reliance.

Mr Isiguzo implored all to join hands in building the NUJ of our dreams, through support, cooperation and total commitment to its success and wellbeing.

Quite a handful of issues bothering on Sports Writers who do not want to affiliate with NUJ, the state of the state and the nation were discussed and far reaching decisions taken.

At the meeting, the president setup a committee for the forthcoming 7th Triennial Delegates’ Conference slated to hold in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State on October 4, 2021.

The Election committee is saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections into the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Union, whose tenure will expire in October, 2021.

The offices to be filled through elections are those of the national president, deputy and vice presidents, zonal secretaries, treasurer, financial secretary and auditor.

The committee has, the national trustee, Zone E, Alhaji Garba Mahammad as chairman and the chairman of Abia State Council, Mr Victor Ndukwe as secretary.

Other members are; NAWOJ National President, Ladi Bala, Emmanuel Ogbeche, FCT Council Chairman, Victor Udu, Cross River State Council Chairman, Isa Shuni, Sokoto State Council Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, Secretary Ondo State Council, Mohammed Ibrahim, Secretary Borno State Council and Ladi Emmanuel, national ex- officio.

Inaugurating the committee on Monday August 9, 2021, the national president urged them to do their best and live up to expectation by berthing the new set of leaders for the union through a transparent and credible electoral process.

The committee chairman, Alhaji Garba Mahammad in his response on behalf of the committee promised to meet the bench mark of members’ confidence reposed on them without fail.