By Sani Yarima
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Taraba State Council, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen (JP),(NIPR) has charged journalists who are practising in the state without having professional qualifications to enrol in one of the institutions to acquire knowledge on the field. The number one journalist in the state made the call during the inauguration of the pioneer Exco of the newly formed Shinmo FM Chapel held in Jalingo.
Shinmo FM, which is one of the private Radio stations in Taraba State, has fulfilled the requirements for becoming a Chapel as enshrined in the Nuj Constitution, which led to their inauguration by the state council recently. With their coming on board, the council now has eight (8) Chapels comprising Information, Correspondents’, TTV, TSBS, NTA, Worldview Magazine, FRCN Gift FM Jalingo, and Shinmo FM.
Addressing the gathering, which took place at the FM station, the state chairman of Nuj, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen congratulated the newly formed and inaugurated chapel and charged them to operate within the complex of the Nuj Constitution. He noted that one of the requisites requirements for a person to qualify and be recognised as a professional journalist, as well as a full pledge member of the union, one must obtain at least a Diploma in Mass Communication, Journalism or any relevant certificate from a reputable institution.
To assist those practising Journalism with a qualification in a different field of study, Comrade Jen announced that the council under his watch is making an arrangement to secure a study centre for the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) in the state. The chairman also revealed that the IIJ, which is an Affiliated Institution with the University of Maiduguri when secured, would make it easier for those who are already in the media to continue practising as professionals, as well as those who are willing to join the profession.
He reiterated the council’s commitment to comply with the directive of the National body under the leadership of its President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya in the fight against quackery in the journalism profession across the nation. Additionally, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen emphasized the importance of chapels in the state to pay their union dues promptly for the development of the union and their benefits.
He, however, advised the newly inaugurated Exco, who will pilot the affairs of the chapel for the next three years, to run an inclusive leadership and ensure transparency and accountability to their members, pointing out that the council would have more additional chapels in no distance period, as it would add its strength of delegates at the national triennial conference.
In his remarks, the General Manager of Shinmo FM Jalingo, Engr. Lawal Sanya appreciated the council of the Nuj under the able leadership of Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen for what he described as a historical gesture and pledged their commitment to the development of the union. In his acceptance speech on behalf of the other elected members, the pioneer chairman of the Shinmo FM Nuj Chapel, Mohammed Usamt Sulaiman expressed delight to be part of the Nuj, which he described as a highly valued and respected professional body after spending three years operating independently.
He pledged their undoubted loyalty to the state council and abided by the Nuj Constitution, as well as the ethics of the profession, assuring that they would be committed to the activities of the union including the payment of dues.
In their separate goodwill messages, the CEO and Editor-Inchief of the Worldview Magazine, Mr Williams Ayooso, the state chairman of SWAN, Sulaiman Sani Yarima, and the council’s Auditor, Comrade Victoria Roland Andekin all congratulated the newly inaugurated chapel and its Exco and emphasized on professionalism, and objectivity in their reportage, as well as be attending congress.
They also commended the Nuj chairman, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen, for his unique leadership style of inclusiveness, describing him as a man of integrity, expressing optimism that the IIJ initiative by the current Nuj Exco, would come to reality, which will be the first of its kind in the Northeast, is a testament to his commitment to capacity-building of members.
Other officials of the Shinmo FM Chapel are Farida Yunusa- Vice-chairman; Shishi Emmanuel-Secretary; Yahanasu Umar Jen-Assistant Secretary, Mohammed Lawal-Auditor, and Punariman Galadima-Financial Secretary, while Gladis Nuvalga Hitler was elected as Treasurer.
The council’s Secretary, Financial Secretary, Assistant Secretary, one Ex-officio, and the Vice chairman of FRCN Gift FM Chapel were among those who graced the occasion.
It is worth noting that the newly inaugurated chapel has seventeen members which qualifies them to form a Chapel.
On a sad note, the chairman of the Council, Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen, led a delegation to the residence of the council’s Financial Secretary, Comrade Sylvanus Viashima of The Sun Newspapers, to condole him over the demise of his elder Brother, who passed on recently.