The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Saturday congratulated the state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its successful and peaceful election/transition, describing the outcome “as a victory for every member of the pen profession.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor urged journalists in the state, to now come together, as before, to join the government to set agenda for improved socioeconomic development of the state.
“The government congratulates the new chairman, Mr. Ahmed Abdullateef of the Herald newspapers on his victory. We also congratulate other members of the newly elected council. The electrifying issues-based campaign recently seen shows that our country is truly evolving. It is now incumbent on everyone, especially all the contestants, to leave the usual pre-election misgivings behind and work together as equal stakeholders in the business of evolving a stronger and more united council in the state,” the statement added.
In the statement, the government reassures the new council of its full support as the fourth estate of the realm stressing that the administration also thanked the out-gone council for its support and understanding.
It added that the new council has a mandate, as always, to strengthen media professionalism, discourage sensationalism and war journalism, and embrace development or solution-driven journalism and commended the NUJ in the state for its principled association with the government in its developmental drive.
The governor called for joint efforts with relevant state agencies to fight fake news, ethnic profiling, misinformation, and a growing culture of alternative facts which now threaten our world.
“The administration wishes the newly elected leadership of the Kwara State NUJ Council a successful tenure, and once again congratulates the entire council for what was clearly a peaceful and orderly election and transition which affirm Kwara as the state of harmony.
In a similar message, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Engineer Yakubu Danaladi-Salihu congratulated the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kwara Council on the successful election of its new executives in the state.
Engineer Danladi-Salihu while reacting to the election which produced Mr Ahmed AbdulLateef Lanre of The Herald Newspapers as the new Council Chairman also congratulated Mr Lanre and other newly elected executives of the Union.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary , Sheu Abdulkadir Yusuf urged the new leadership of the NUJ to sustain the professionalism the union is known for while performing its functions as the fourth estate of realm.
“On behalf of the Ninth Assembly, I wish to assure the new leadership of the NUJ of the support of the legislature and urge them to purge the union of purveyors of fake news who are hiding under the pen profession”.
The Speaker also enjoined those who couldn’t make it to the executive positions this time to accept the outcome of the election in good faith and work closely with the new executives, noting that the future will always unveil better opportunities for those who refuse to be tarried with their set goals.
The new leadership of the NUJ will serve for a period of three years.
Similarly, the Founder of Mustapha Foundation, Mallam Saliu Mustapha congratulates Mr. Ahmed Olanrewaju Abdulateef and other newly elected members of the State Executive Committee of Kwara State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In the same vein, Mallam Saliu Mustapha congratulates Messrs Dare Abdullahi Akogun, Fadeyi Babajide and Umar Wahab, and others for their gallantry and sportsmanship at the keenly contested elections.
According to him, the peaceful, orderly and rancor-free manner of the elections, and the unanimous acceptance of its outcome are a good example of how professional bodies should conduct their affairs.
He noted that Abdullateef and his team are coming in at a challenging time in the life of the traditional media in Nigeria, where journalists’ welfare has become a serious issue of concern.
According to him , it is therefore imperative for the new NUJ helmsman and his good team to hit the ground running in order to arrest this ugly situation that threatens ethical journalism in Nigeria.
In a related development, the Association of League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Kwara State chapter has also congratulated Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed of The Herald newspapers over his election as the new chairman of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The league egually congratulated other journalists elected into various offices in the elections.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, NALVEJ hailed the peaceful conduct of the NUJ election and commended members of the electoral panel for a job well done and all journalists for conducting themselves in orderly manners.
It urged the winners of the elections to be magnanimous in victory and run an inclusive administration.
While wishing the Ahmed- led executives the required wisdom to successful piloting the affairs of the council, NALVEJ wished them a successful and eventful tenure.
It acknowledged the modest achievements of the immediate past NUJ chairman, Umar AbdulWahab and his team and prayed God to prosper them in their future endeavours.
The league, especially thanked the Umar-led administration for its support for all the its activities.
NALVEJ also congratulated the entire members of the NUJ and enjoined them to cooperate with the new executives in order to move the council to a more greater heights.
Abdulateef Ahmed of the Herald Newspapers Chapel emerged winner of the election with 85 votes after defeating his closest rival, Dare Akogun of Sobi FM Chapel who garnered 72 votes.
Babajide Fadeyi of Federal Information Chapel polled 31 votes while the incumbent, Umar AbdulWahab got 16 votes.
Binta Abubakar-Mora of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Radio Nigeria, Harmony FM Chapel, scored 127 votes beating incumbent, Mustafa Abubakar of University of Ilorin FM with 74 votes.
Also,the incumbent Secretary, Tayo Ayanda of Herald Newspapers polled 124 votes to defeat his challenger, Babatunde Jimba of Kwara State Television Authority who had 78 votes.
Similarly, Olayinka Alaya of Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation Radio Kwara, Ilorin returned as Assistant Secretary with 138 votes against Sanni Zakariyyah of Information Division, Kwara Ministry of Communications who polled 70 votes.
Meanwhile, the Treasurer, Monsurat Amuda-Kannike, of State Information Chapel, Financial Secretary, Raliah Ibrahim of Nigeria Television Authority NTA Chapel and the Auditor, Mashood Sarumi of Herald Chapel were elected unopposed while Fatimah Jiyah of Kwara State Television Authority and Dare Akogun were appointed as Ex-Officio of the union.
Announcing the results of the keenly contested elections, NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo represented by the National Vice President North-Central Zone D, Mr Wison Bako described the election as generally peaceful.
Chief Isiguzo charged the new executive to work as a team to herald the union to greatness.
In his Acceptance Speech, newly elected State Council Chairman, Abdulateef Ahmed assured members of the union of inclusiveness and improved welfare.
Ime N
