Fidelis Jockthan Flags Off NUJ Campaign, Praises Information Officers as Founding Fathers

By Chinasa Nwabuze.

The NUJ Chairmanship Candidate under the FRCN Fombina FM Chapel Yola has told Adamawa information officers that they are among the founding fathers of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and therefore, he holds them in high esteem in his bid to clinch the Chairmanship position of NUJ in the state.

Fidelis Jockthan, who flagged off his campaign at the Ministry of Information Yola, was accorded a rousing welcome.

The NUJ candidate, led by his Director General, Mohammed Saidu, former State Chairman of Adamawa Council, Comrade Salisu Abubakar, a veteran; Umar Mohammed Gojos, NAWOJ National Ex-Officio and former State Coordinator; Kate Alyuda, Head of Editorial, Radio Nigeria Fombina FM Yola; Jamila Abubakar; and the Chairman, FRCN Fombina Chapel, Sakina Ahmed, among others, not only promised a renewed hope for the information officers but also advanced superior reasons for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to sign the Media Bill for improved working conditions for state-owned media workers in Adamawa State.

We need aggressive mentorship, training, and re-training of staff

“Information officers are one of the founders of NUJ, and I hold you in high esteem. I will advance superior reasons to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, to sign the Media Bill for improved working conditions of state-owned media workers.

There is a wide gap in the service because many veterans are retiring, leaving the media landscape in Adamawa State; we need aggressive mentorship, training, and re-training of staff,” Fidelis Jockthan said.

Fidelis Jockthan, who pledged a facelift to the Secretariat, also spoke on the need for revolving funds for empowerment of members, media summits, and creating a fraternity platform, “League of Veterans,” for mentorship for young practicing journalists in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy Yola, Mr. Solomon Kumangar, who was impressed with Fidelis Jockthan’s lofty projections, said NUJ is a breeding ground for leadership in Nigeria, citing examples with some governors in Nigeria.

He assured the campaign team that the ministry would support any initiative that would propel NUJ and the Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri-led administration to greater heights.

The Director of Information in the Ministry, Pryan Luba, and Chairman of the Chapel, Innocent Zira, while applauding the campaign team for the lofty projections in moving NUJ forward, also pledged total support for the project.

Earlier, the Chairman of FRCN Fombina FM Chapel, Sakina Ahmed, described Fidelis Jockthan as a formidable candidate with leadership traits that members of the union can rally behind with massive votes for the professional development of NUJ.