NUJ Taraba Inaugurates Two New Chapels, Reiterates Call for Professionalism in Journalism.
By Christiana Babayo
The Taraba State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has inaugurated two new chapels — Haske TV and Taraba State University (TSU) in separate ceremonies held in Jalingo, the state capital.
The events, which took place on Thursday at the premises of Haske TV and later at Taraba State University, mark a major milestone in the council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism and expand its membership base across media organizations in the state.
Chairman of the NUJ Taraba Council, Comrade Mathew Jen, personally administered the oath of office to the newly elected officials of both chapels during the ceremonies.
In his remarks, Comrade Jen described the inauguration as “historic and memorable,” noting that it would remain one of the enduring legacies of his administration.
He charged the new executives to uphold the ethics and standards of journalism and to carry out their responsibilities with integrity and dedication.
“This inauguration is a memorable one for us as a union because today we have two new chapels added to the council. The union expects the newly inaugurated chapels to serve as models of professionalism. We must continue to practice journalism that promotes truth, accountability, and public interest,” Jen said.
At the Haske TV inauguration, the newly elected chapel chairman, Comrade Shettima Jiddere, expressed deep appreciation to the NUJ for its support throughout the process leading to their formal admission into the union.
“We thank the NUJ leadership for its guidance and encouragement. Haske TV Chapel will remain committed to ethical journalism and will continue to uphold the values that define our profession,” Jiddere assured.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Sulaiman Ibrahim, General Manager of Haske TV, described the inauguration as a welcome development that would inspire his team to greater professional excellence.
The NUJ team moved to Taraba State University for the second leg of the inauguration, where Comrade Jen again presided over the swearing-in of the university chapel executives.
Addressing members, the NUJ chairman encouraged them to maintain close contact with the council, stressing the importance of synergy between the professional body and the academic environment.
“The university is a training ground for future journalists. This partnership will help nurture young talents and reinforce professional ethics right from the classroom,” Jen noted.
Responding, the newly elected TSU Chapel Chairman thanked the union for its recognition and pledged to work closely with the council in promoting responsible journalism within the university community.
The ceremony also featured remarks from several media stakeholders, including Comrade Former NUJ Chairman and SSA to the Governor on Sociala Events, Comr. Jovita Shafe, Publisher of Worldview Magazine Williams Ayooso, CEO of SumTV, Olayinka Gabriel, who all congratulated the new executives.
They urged them to be steadfast in serving the public interest and to always adhere to the ethics of the profession, adding that Journalism remains a noble calling.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Oberiri Destiny Apuke, praised the NUJ for the initiative, describing it as a progressive step toward integrating academic and professional journalism practice in Taraba State.
The two inauguration ceremonies drew participants from across the media, academia, all commending the NUJ Taraba Council for its efforts in strengthening journalistic institutions and fostering professionalism in the state.