Former Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya from Gombe state , has emerged the new National President of the union, taking over from Comrade Chris Isiguzo, who has successfully completed two tenures of six years.
Yahaya, who is the first NUJ President of North-East extraction, took the mantle of leadership at the just concluded Eighth Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the union held Wednesday and Thursday in Owerri, Imo State.
He polled 436 votes to defeat two other candidates, Bamidele Atunbi and Garba Mohammed, who polled 97 votes and 39 votes to come second and third, respectively.
Yahaya was announced winner in the early hours of Thursday by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mike Ikeogwu.
Declaring the result, Ikeogwu said,
“By the powers vested in me as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, I hereby declare that Alhassan Yahya, having polled the highest number of votes, is returned as President of the NUJ for the next three years.“
Pix’ Comrade Alhassan Yahaya,new NUJ National President.
In an acceptance speech, he pledged to serve “humbly and with the fear of God” as well as to “uphold the Constitution of the NUJ with all fairness, equity and justice”.
He succeeded Chief Chris Isuguzo from the South-East, who served out two tenures of six years.
The new Deputy National President, Abimbola Oyetunde, who is the General Manager, Radio Nigeria Bronze FM, Edo, was returned unopposed .
A former member of Board of Trustees, Oyetunde, emerged the first female deputy national president of NUJ.
Other national officers, who were returned unopposed included the National Treasurer, Victor Ndukwe (former Abia Council Chairman), and Ronke Samo, the Vice President of B-Zone (Southwest).
Also elected unopposed was Eze Adiukwu, the Zonal Secretary (South-East) of the union..
In a Congratulatory message, the Enugu State Council of the NUJ, felicitates the newly elected Executives led by Alhassan Yahaya.
The message jointly signed by the Chairman of the Council ,Comrade Sam Udekwe and the Secretary, Dame Ifeoma Amuta, and made available to newsmen on Thursday, in Enugu read in parts :
“NUJ Enugu State Council congratulates the newly elected National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya.
“In a congratulatory message jointly signed by the State Chairman of NUJ , Comrade Sam Udekwe and the Secretary Dame Ifeoma Amuta, the union extolled the amiable leadership prowess exhibited by Comrade Yahaya at various positions he held previously in NUJ and prays God to grant him more wisdom to run the affairs of the union as the number one Journalist in the country.
The message applauded Comrade Yahaya for his promising manifesto and prays that he works together with his Deputy,Dr.Abimbola Oyetunde and other executives of NUJ to actualize his well articulated dream for NUJ and improve on the achievements made by previous administration”..
Author: Maureen Ikpeama