BAUCHI — Comrade Isah Garba Gadau, News Editor with Bauchi Television (BATV), has emerged as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council.
Gadau secured 83 votes to defeat Ahmed Mohammed, the immediate past Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, who polled 47 votes, in an election held on Saturday.
Also elected was Isiaka Ismail Wunti of the Globe FM, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Chapel, who polled 94 votes to defeat Mu’azu Hassan of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and emerge as Council Secretary.
Other members of the new executive committee were elected unopposed.
They include Sarki Saleh of the Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) Chapel; Adama Ibrahim of the Bauchi State Ministry of Information and member of Wikki Chapel; Khalid Doya of Leadership Newspapers and member of the Correspondents’ Chapel; and Abubakar Ibrahim of Globe FM, FRCN Bauchi Chapel.
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The results were declared by the Chairman of the Credential Committee, Elizabeth Kah of BATV.
The newly elected officials were subsequently inaugurated by representatives of the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi; Zonal Vice President, Zare Baba; and Zonal Secretary, Abubakar Musa Waziri.
Speaking after his election, Gadau pledged to prioritise the welfare, professional development and safety of journalists across Bauchi State.
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He said his administration would be guided by the principles of unity, inclusiveness, accountability and mutual respect, while ensuring that journalists were adequately supported and equipped to perform their duties without fear.
“I accept this mandate with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to all members of our great union,” Gadau said.
The chairman-elect also pledged to uphold the NUJ Constitution and Code of Ethics, stressing that the credibility and reputation of journalism depended largely on journalists’ commitment to professional standards.
According to him, his administration would build on the achievements of previous leaderships while strengthening existing initiatives and introducing new ones where necessary.
“We will not discard what has worked; rather, we will strengthen it, improve it and introduce new initiatives where necessary,” he said.
Gadau also extended a hand of fellowship to members who supported other candidates during the election, urging them to put the contest behind them and work together for the advancement of the union.
“The election is over; we are now one union, with one purpose and one responsibility: to advance the interests of journalists and strengthen our profession,” he said.
He promised to work closely with all chapels, members and stakeholders to move the Bauchi State Council forward.
The new chairman also thanked his supporters for their confidence and pledged to serve with humility, commitment and integrity.
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Gadau commended Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for the ongoing remodelling of the NUJ Secretariat, saying the project had already transformed the appearance of the premises.
He expressed optimism that the project would be completed and commissioned soon.
The election and inauguration ceremony were attended by representatives of the NUJ national leadership, members of the electoral committee, officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the immediate past NUJ chairman, the NUJ Gombe State chairman and other union delegates.
