NUJ Kaduna: I WILL CARRY EVERYBODY ALONG – ASMAU

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ZAINAB TANIMU
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NUJ Kaduna: I WILL CARRY EVERYBODY ALONG – ASMAU
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria
Hajiya Asmau Yawo Halilu is the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Kaduna.
A woman with the burning desire to make the Nigeria Union of Journalists Council Kaduna the envy of many.
She is determined and going to carry every member along. She said.
This assurance was given at the occasion of the commissioning of projects/Lecture, and Awards organized by the union.
According to her, without the cooperation of the members, she wouldn’t have been able to achieve all she did within the scope of 6months of her administration.
She called on everyone to remain  committed in striving to move the union forward.
It is the zeal to do things differently that pushed the new executives to embarking on these projects. She informed.
“Considering the overwhelming support we are enjoying from our members, our only option is to work hard and make them proud. That is our driving force, as the maxim says: ‘ To whom much is given, much is expected’.
“All these have been made possible through your support and backing from some key partners.”
The welfare of her colleagues she stressed remains the focus of her administration.

“Let me seize this opportunity to assure our esteemed members that  your welfare is paramount to us.
“As you know our profession requires training. We must be informed before we can inform others. Our capacity building training with the support of individuals, cooperate organization’s, Civil Society Organizations and military institutions in the state is under way.
There is a discussion on-going with one of the partners to provide the council with Arabian tents for outdoor congresses and that will be another source of revenue generation for the council. She added.
Highlighting some of the administration’s achievements,
Photo by Ibrahim
”My colleagues, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to the glory of God, the new leadership has provided office for Correspondents Chapel.
“We have also commenced building project of office structures for NAWOJ and SWAN. This, we believe will improve on the existing relationship we enjoy as members. The provision of these offices will encourage us to always converge here at the secretariat in order to interact and relate.
”We have also provided modern conference table and chairs in the Conference Room, courtesy of Alhaji Usman Ibrahim, popularly known as Sardaunan Badarawa, while the customized window blinds in our offices was donated by a philanthropist who does not want his name mentioned.
Also was a Ford galaxy car donated to the council by Senator Uba Sani to help run their activities with ease.
”We thank the Seven-up Company for supporting the Council by painting part of the Secretariat buildings.
Amongst projects commissioned were
the renovated toilet facilities for members. Two out of the four squatting system, have been changed to
modern toilet seats with washing hand basins.
There was also the unveiling of Media outfits in Kaduna.
Also was the commissioning of SWAN’s recreational center for members.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists president, Comrade, Chris Isiguzo earlier in his speech had commended Kaduna NUJ Chairman, Hajiya Asmau Halilu and her team for the good work while stressing on the need for the council to remain a united force.
He said he was happy with the turn out of members which he said signifies that the leadership enjoys the cooperation of members.
According to him,
“I want to congratulate Asmau’s leadership, l congratulate our colleague journalists in Kaduna state for the wonderful and tremendous support you have extended to her. I hope you are going to sustain this.
Let by-gone be bye – gone  and remain a united force for the council to move forward. He added.
Commenting on the theme of the lecture, “The Role of the Media in Political Campaigns, Election and Crisis Management, he charged the media to be responsive in carrying out their duties.
Chris acknowledged the fact that the government is trying its best to finding solutions to the present insecurity problem in the country but needed to do more to  protect the lives and properties of the people.
“I want to appeal to us here and by extension all Nigerians that we must give the necessary support to our state actors to ensure that this deadly challenge that is steering all of us on the face, the problem of security is confronted head-long.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Comrade Ahmed Mayaki impressed with
the achievement recorded by the current administration on his part made a promise of providing one year internet subscription to the council.
This he said will ease journalists in their reportage.
The one time Director General, Media and Publicity to former governor of Kaduna state, Ramalan Yero called on the media to be dedicated to their jobs which he urged should be done conscientiously.
Speaking, National President, Nigeria Union of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Mrs Ladi  Bala expressed happiness over her fellow woman’s achievements saying,  “This has proven that women, if given the chance can excel to greater heights.
Being the first female Chairman and first female in the north -west, it is a thing of pride. She said.
The two day event which ran through Friday and Saturday included a lecture and giving of awards to distinguished personalities who have made contributions in various fields.
In his top provoking presentation with the theme titled, “Media roles in Political Campaigns, Elections and the Aftermath”, Mallam Ahmed Balarabe, a seasoned lecturer from the Kaduna Polytechnic, drew the attention of the media on their enormous tasks which he said must be exhibited with all honesty.
The presenter, Ahmed Balarabe fielding questions from journalists shortly after the lecture.
While taking a critical look at what the media can do before, during and after election as part of its statutory function, he said media practice in Nigeria faces newer challenges as democracy is advancing.
Crisis though inevitable, the media at this period of political campaigns and elections should live up to its responsibilities.
The nation he said has gone through a lot of constitutional and political reforms to ensure that we get our elections right but that most of these reforms have created disenchanted citizenry who don’t believe in the system nor the process.
Balarabe expressing worries said the escalated competitiveness for access to power among political actors and their manipulation of enabling tools, including the media and practitioners has caused   prejudice in the minds of citizens who no longer want to trust the media as an institution because they feel that they can be bought over.
 “Therefore, the quest on what constitutes our electoral process especially as it relates to campaigns , elections and their aftermaths, and how the  media role can be situated or benchmark is very important.
Also of concern should be,
“what are those variables that characterize our campaign and election processes? How are  they perceived, in the court of public opinion as framed by the media institutions.”
Lamenting, he said campaigns and elections are no longer done according to the guiding principles. And is the reason why we have not gotten it right as a nation.
When Nigeria got its independence, there were high hopes and  expectation by Nigerians that Nigeria will be a continental leader and a global player ever politically.
“We  cannot get it right if we do not have a stable policy that is secured through credible electoral  processes.”
“So political campaigns which of course suggests that we want to seek or influence decision of the electorates in their choice have taken a different turn recently. The same way we can say election has taken a different turn recently.
“And so while the politician rely on you to feature them, the citizen are also relying on you to cover the electionary process, and do so with some sense of professionalism.”
Explaining how cumbersome the role of the media is, “our position as middlemen  places us in a tight corner thus creating ambiguity and dilemma in the discharge of our duties.”
The enormous challenges not withstanding, the presenter urged that the media remains upright in the discharge of its duties.
“As agenda setters, the media and practitioners must strive to avoid conflicts, ethnic, religious identities as well as sectional subservience.
Only what is in the national interest should be paramount.
“There has to be genuine desire to diversify our newsroom to compliment our multicultural ecosystem as a society.
Speaking on media reform,
“The improper distinction between the Nigerian press council as regulatory organ and an administrative clearing house for journalists has to be clearly articulated. Including the ambiguity in the role of the Nigeria Union of Journalists as professional or trade union.
“There is the need to from time to time review its statutory instruments and organs including the legal framework in order to entrench more professionalism in journalism practice.
As forebears and innovators, Nigeria media must diversity to meet changing economic realities.”
Balarabe in his presentation spoke on the need to look into the poor welfare condition of media practitioners as well as hostile working environments which he said threatens their safety.
“Nigeria Union of Journalists must place premium priority on repositioning journalism practice through various strategies which includes  consistent capacity development and an overhaul of the ethical provisions of practice.
“We currently suffer gap of informed commentary, analysis or interrogative journalism as a result of falling standard for journalism teaching and many, including the overall poor citizen media literacy. It is a mandate that all of us are bound to pursue and deliver.
“I appeal to the media to justify it’s special title as the 4th estate of the realms by leading our country to the path of righteousness. He added.
Awards of excellence were given in recognition of contributions of various individuals and organizations.
In his speech, Special Adviser to Kaduna state governor on Media and Publicity, Muyiwa Adekeye, one of the recipients of the awards assured the council of a cordial relationship between them and the state government.
NUJ National Trustee member, a one time NUJ Kaduna Council Chairman, Alhaji Garba Muhammed in his vote of thanks called for a continuous understanding between the Excos and the members.
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