Bauchi NUJ Council elects Gadau as chairman, new officials

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, has elected Comrade Isah Garba Gadau as its new chairman on Saturday, alongside other members of the council’s executive committee.

Gadau, News Editor of Bauchi Television (BATV), polled 83 votes to beat Ahmed Mohammed, immediate past Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, who scored 47 votes.

Isiaka Ismail Wunti of Globe FM Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Chapel scored 94 votes to beat Mu’azu Hassan of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) to be elected Council Secretary.

Also elected unopposed were Sarki Saleh of the Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) Chapel, Adama Ibrahim of Bauchi State Ministry of Information and member of Wikki Chapel, Khalid Doya of Leadership Newspapers and member of Correspondents’ Chapel, and Abubakar Ibrahim from Globe FM Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Bauchi Chapel.

The new officials were declared winners by the Chairman of the Credential Committee, Elizabeth Kah of BATV, and inaugurated by representatives of the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, Zonal Vice President, Mr Zare Baba, and Zonal Secretary, Abubakar Musa Waziri, respectively.

Gadau, in his acceptance speech after the election, pledged to prioritise the welfare, professional training and safety of journalists in the state.

The chairman-elect said his administration would be anchored on unity, inclusiveness, accountability and mutual respect, while ensuring that journalists were adequately supported and equipped to perform their duties without fear.

“I accept this mandate with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to all members of our great union,” Gadau said.

He pledged to uphold the NUJ Constitution and Code of Ethics, noting that the credibility and reputation of journalism depended on journalists’ commitment to professional standards.

According to the chairman-elect, his administration would build on the achievements of previous administrations and strengthen existing initiatives where necessary.

“We will not discard what has worked; rather, we will strengthen it, improve it and introduce new initiatives where necessary,” he said.

Gadau also extended a hand of fellowship to members who supported other candidates during the election, stressing that the contest was over and the union must now unite to advance the interests of journalists.

“The election is over; we are now one union, with one purpose and one responsibility: to advance the interests of journalists and strengthen our profession,” he said.

The chairman-elect promised to work with all chapels, members and stakeholders to move the Bauchi State Council forward, while thanking his supporters for their trust and pledging to serve with humility, commitment and integrity.

He also commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the ongoing remodelling of the NUJ Secretariat, saying the project had already given the premises a new look.

Gadau expressed hope that the project would be completed and commissioned soon.

The election and acceptance ceremony were attended by representatives of the NUJ national leadership, members of the electoral committee, NLC officials, the immediate past NUJ chairman, the NUJ Gombe State chairman and other union delegates.