…ex National Pilot staff, Umar eyes chairman seat
By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State council will today (Thursday) hold its election to elect new executives that will pilot affairs of the union for the next three years.
Delegates are expected to cast their votes to elect a new chairman, while other posts are unopposed.
National Pilot’s ex-staff, Mr. Umar Abdulwahab who is eyeing the chairmanship seat has as contender, Mr. Babatunde Jimba of the Kwara Television chapel.
The event which will commence by 10am, will be held at the Press Centre, Offa road, opposite St Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin.
The chairmanship aspirants had yesterday reeled out their developmental projects and programmes for the council in their manifesto.
Unveiling his agenda, Jimba said if elected, he would stimulate peace and unity in the council adding that the mirage of issues distablising the union at the state level would be adequately addressed.
He said his administration would harmonized various interest grouped in order to jump start activities that could propel the union for progress and prosperity.
To boost revenue generation Jimba proposed the establishment of cyber cafe, car wash and functional educational institution.
“The Abiodun Abdulkareem -led administration has laid foundation such as journalist estate, pen school which we also can build on,” he noted
In his manifesto, the state Correspondent of Blueprint newspapers, Abdulwahab said his administration would embark on aggressive membership drive.
He promised to integrate the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) back into the council.
On safety of journalists in the state, the chairman aspirants said if elected into office, he would establish working relationship with security agencies in the state, just as he promised that the council will have its online media platforms.
He stressed that he will further embark on alternative sources of revenue adding that, the cheque off due is no longer adequate to meet financial of the council.
Wahab further that, if elected the council will Partner with Niger River basin to start NUJ farm so that it will reduce insufficient of food and also create job for people.
“Welfare of members is very important and we will look into it and also looked into capacity building, to equip ourselves to catch up with the trend, organise digital workshop and partner IT companies. We will Partner with Niger River Basin to start NUJ farm so that it will reduce food insufficiency and also create job for people,” he added..
