NUJ Inaugurates Digital Media Chapel in Katsina
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council, has inaugurated the executive members of its newly established Digital Media Chapel, with Alhaji Abubakar Shafi’i Alolo emerging as its chairman.
Other members of the executive are Mustapha Sadiq, who was elected Secretary, and Zaharadeen Abubakar as Treasurer.
The establishment of the chapel is aimed at formally integrating online media practitioners into the NUJ structure, strengthening professional collaboration and promoting ethical standards in digital journalism.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, the newly inaugurated Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Shafi’i Alolo, pledged to provide purposeful leadership and introduce programmes that would promote the growth and development of the chapel.
He assured members that his administration would operate an open-door policy, encouraging them to contribute ideas, suggestions and constructive opinions towards building a united and effective leadership.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent personalities, including the NUJ Zonal Secretary, Comrade Abdulrazaq Bello Kaura, who represented the National President of the Union and administered the oath of office to the new executives.
Also in attendance was the Katsina State Commissioner for Information, Dr Salisu Bala Zango, who represented Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
In his remarks, Dr Zango charged the newly inaugurated executives to uphold the principles of responsible journalism by ensuring accuracy, credibility, fairness and professionalism in their reports.
He particularly stressed the importance of verifying information before publication, warning against the spread of unverified reports and urging journalists to strictly adhere to professional ethics.
The NUJ Grand Patron in Katsina State, the Kanwan Katsina, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara, congratulated the new executives and called on them to maintain a cordial relationship with practitioners in conventional media.
He said online and conventional journalists belonged to the same professional family and should therefore work together to promote responsible journalism and strengthen the media industry.
Kankara wished the new leadership success and urged its members to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and a strong sense of professionalism.
In his remarks, the former NUJ Chairman in Katsina State and current Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information, Comrade Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, described the inauguration as the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition to bring online media practitioners into the formal structure of the Union.
He explained that the idea of establishing a platform for digital journalists within the NUJ had been under consideration for some time but was eventually realised under the leadership of the incumbent State Chairman, Comrade Aminu Garba Dandagoro.
Dan-Ali commended Dandagoro for his commitment and determination in ensuring the establishment of the chapel, describing the development as an important milestone in promoting inclusiveness within the journalism profession.
Earlier, the NUJ Katsina State Chairman, Comrade Aminu Garba Dandagoro, said the establishment of the Digital Media Chapel was one of the major priorities of his administration from the outset.
He explained that the initiative was intended to provide online journalists with an organised platform within the Union and ensure that their activities conform to established journalistic ethics and professional standards.
Dandagoro expressed confidence in the ability of the newly inaugurated executives to deliver, urging them to demonstrate unity, commitment and responsibility in carrying out their duties.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Katsina State Radio Corporation, Alhaji Lawal Bakori, advised the new executives to uphold the principles of balanced, fair and objective reporting.
He said fair and balanced reporting would strengthen public confidence in the media and enhance the credibility of journalists, while wishing the new leadership success in its tenure.
In his contribution, Dr Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’Adua highlighted the importance of professionalism and the need for journalists to embrace technological innovations in response to the rapid changes taking place in the media industry.
He described journalism as a critical pillar of society, particularly in informing, educating and enlightening members of the public.
According to him, the growing dependence on digital communication platforms across the world makes it imperative for journalists to adapt to emerging technologies without compromising the fundamental values of the profession.
He added that journalists must remain committed to educating the public, disseminating credible information and upholding professional ethics, regardless of the platforms through which they operate.
The inauguration of the Digital Media Chapel is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the engagement of the NUJ Katsina State Council with the expanding digital media sector.
The initiative is expected to enhance cooperation between conventional and online media practitioners, promote ethical standards in digital journalism and strengthen the media’s role in providing accurate and credible information to the public.
