By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The Sokoto State Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has elected new leaders to stir the affairs of the chapel for the next three years.
Speaking before the election which was held at their Dogin Daji office around Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) within the metropolis, chairman of the Credentials Committee, Abubakar Imam (Daily Trust) advised members to see the contest as a brotherly one hence the need to embrace their cherished unity afterwards.
At the end of the election, Habibu Muhammed Harisu (NAN) emerged Chairman of the Chapel, while Ankeli Emmanuel (National Accord) retained the Secretaryship unopposed.
Positions of Assistant Chairman, Assistant Secretary and that of Treasurer were won unopposed by Ismail Umar (VON English Services), Adamu Suleman (The Nation Newspaper) and Olakunle Maruf (Tribune Newspaper) respectively.
Both Faru Yabo (RFI) and Innocent Onuminya (Thisday Newspaper) emerged Auditor and Financial Secretary.
Addressing members of the Correspondent's Chapel before they were being administered with the oath of office, the State NUJ Chairman, Dalhatu Abdullahi Safel Magori, described members of the State Correspondent's Chapel as a very mature set of journalists that always display high sense of decorum.
"In this contest, I see all the members united for same purpose. I therefore urge winners to be magnanimious in victory as Allah chooses leaders and the casting of votes is just to fulfil Allah's wish.
"Remember that, Allah loves all of you. Correspondents Chapel election is the most peaceful. I saw how everything was done in a manner that commands respect of all.
"The election of your leadership today marks the end of the election of the leaders of all the 7 Chapels that makes up the Sokoto State NUJ and I am happy it is a huge success for all. I am also using this opportunity to appeal to all to abide by the Constitution and ethics of the profession".
In his advise to those elected, the State NUJ chairman said, "Let us not forget that we are all equal. All of you are well trained, that however does not mean, you do not need further training hence the profession is dynamic.
"Let us stop thinking myopic but global. I believe any of you can work anywhere in the world as far as this profession is concerned. Lets continue to learn and strictly follow the new techniques of the profession.
Speaking on behalf of those elected, the Chapel chairman, Habibu Harisu pledged an all inclusive leadership, just as he called on those that were not elected to accept it as the will of Allah and support the executives for the overall interest of all. NNL.