….. Pledges to carry everybody along

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Vanguard Senior Reporter for Borno and Yobe states, Comrade Inusa Ndahi Marama has been reelected as the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Borno Council.

He defeated his opponent, Mr. Gbenga Akinbule of Gatekeepers Online after the 2025 triennial Congress which took place at the NUJ Centre in Maiduguri on Saturday.

Ndahi scored 14 votes, while Akinbule scored 12 votes, with one invalid vote.

Announcing the results at the end of the exercise, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mallam Uthman Abubakar of People Daily Newspaper Congratulated Ndahi, saying, “Having scored the highest votes, and the powers vested in me, I declared Inusa Ndahi Marama of Vanguard Media limited as Chairman of our great Chapel”.

Also, Dogara Bitrus of Channels TV who contested for the position of Assistant Secretary defeated his opponent, Atiku Galadima of Tribune Newspaper.

Hamza Suleiman of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who is unopposed emerged as Vice Chairman, so also Mr. Ismail Alfa of New York Times re-emerged As Secretary of the Chapel unopposed.

Others are Ahmed Mari of Champion Newspaper as Financial Secretary, Francis Okoye of Leadership Newspaper as Auditor, and Bilyaminu Yusuf of Radio France International as Treasurer who all emerged unopposed.

Before the Business session, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Aliyu Chamalwa, Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson to Governor Babagana Zulum, Mallam Dauda Iliya, Senior Special Assistant on Media, Comrade Babasheikh Haruna and Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communication, Ahmed Buni and Image makers of Borno Police Command, Theatre Commander North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ all attended the opening ceremony, where they pledged to continue working together with Journalists who are critical stakeholders in peace and national development.

Chairmen and Secretaries of other chapels including NTA, Federal Information, University of Maiduguri among other chapels also graced the occasion.

The Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Abdulkareem Haruna who administered oath of office and that of Allegiance to the newly elected leaders, enjoined them to be committed and operate an open door policy in discharging their mandates.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the Executive Officers (EXCOs), the Chairman, Comrade Marama thanked each and everyone who have sacrificed their time and resources to witness the occasion.

He promised to ensure transparency, accountability and prudence at all times, even as he said, welfare of his members would be his topmost priority.

The Chairman also appreciated the good working relationship that exists between Journalists, Borno State Government, Military, Police and other organisations, which he said, must be sustained.

He also promised to carry everybody along in the discharge of his mandate, and to sustain the unity amongst all members.