Taraba: NUJ Inaugurates FRCN’s Gift FM Chapel, Swears-in EXCO
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Taraba State Council, has on Tuesday, 6th February, 2024 inaugurated the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s Gift FM Chapel, bringing the total number of Chapels in the state to seven
The new chapel that has Comr. Ahmed Suleiman Yerima as pioneer Chairman, was created and inaugurated by the state council following an approval from the National Secretariat of the union after fulfilling all the requirements as enshrined in the NUJ constitution.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony that took place at the conference hall of the Gift FM Jalingo, the state Chairman of the Union, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen, said the creation of the chapel was a move to further strengthen the media practice and organize journalists in the state under a strong fold for proper administration.
He informed the gathering that the union is not leaving any stone unturned to rid the union of quacks in the state and to ensure that journalists are duly protected as well as given the deserved treatment by all sections of the society.
Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen who appreciated the commitment of members of the chapel, especially the General Manager, Mr Alkasim Bala, expressed optimism that the chapel would make good impacts in the union owing to the capacity and experience of most of its members and the kinds of equipment acquired by the station
He encouraged the pioneer leadership of the chapel to work strictly inline with the provisions of the constitution of the union and to always be in touch with the leadership of the council in order not to derail from the expectations of the national body of the union
“I want to advise the pioneer leadership of this brand new chapel to use our constitution as a compass. Try as much as possible to bring the wealth of your experience to bear on the union so that together we shall uplift our members and the integrity of our great union. Again, ensure that all that you do, are in line with the provisions of our constitution. Always remember to be in touch with us so that you may not be going astray”. The chairman reiterated.
In his address, the General Manager, FRCN Gift FM, Mr Alkasim Bala, lauded the leadership of NUJ, Taraba State Council under the leadership of Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen, for doing so much in just few months that they assumed office
The general manager who congratulated member of the Gift FM for joining the league of professionals in the state under the umbrella of NUJ, assured the council that the chapel members would deployed all their wealth of experiences to ensure that they create a meaningful impact in the growth and development of journalism practice in the state
“We are here to serve the people of Taraba State and so we shall continue to give a voice to the voiceless in the state as we work towards promoting the unity and progress of the people to enable them appreciate their diversities. We have been deliberate about our services for the people that is why you have 80 percent of our staff coming from Taraba State and 90 percent of our content revolving around the people of the state”. He stated.
In his acceptance speech, the Pioneer Chairman of the Chapel, Comr. Ahmed Suleiman Yerima, assured that his leadership would focus on giving the needed cooperation to the union at both state and national levels and pledged to ensure that the highest ethical and professional standards would be upheld and respected by members of the chapel at all times.
Comr. Ahmed, appealed to all journalists in the state to regard them as their new baby and give them all the needed cooperation and assistance to enable them succeed at their work both as journalists and as a Chapel
Our reporter who witnessed the inaugural session reported that other members of the Chapel’s executive are; Comr Mirasu Mohammed Vice Chairman, Mustafha A. Liman Secretary, Sabi’u Idris Assist Secretary and Akanta Hannah as Treasurer. Others are Suleiman Kazinu as Financial secretary and Tukur Yuguda as Auditor respectively.