By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel emerged from Kaduna Council of the union on Monday.

Asmau Yawo Halilu, the State Correspondent of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), is the first female Correspondents Chapel Chairman to emerge from Northern Nigeria.

Addressing members shortly after taking the oath of office, the new chairman said that part of her leadership reform agenda is to conduct journalism training and explore other capacity-building opportunities for Chapel members.

This, according to her, “will be pursued to ensure that the ethics and standard practice of the profession are upheld.”

She said her victory was made possible by member’s overwhelming understanding, support and encouragement.

“This support is an indication of the love you have for me to serve in this capacity.

“As new leaders, we solicit for your continuous support to succeed in this task; we will always consult within the chapel, as well as with the State Council and other stakeholders to achieve giant strides,” she added.

Continuing, Asmau Yawo Halilu said: “In our tenure, we shall prioritise the welfare of members; we (the new leaders), will collectively be like the mother hen, who will be responsible for every member and ensure that each person is properly taken care of, to the best of our ability.

“We will do our best not to over rely on individuals and organisations for income. In due course, we shall run businesses to sustain the income of the Chapel. We intend to introduce a vibrant Cooperative, where members can save money and as well access loans easily.

“We shall set up a system that will address cases of misunderstanding and address misgivings among members. I promise to personally reach out to aggrieved members, if there is any, for a united body; we are better together than being apart.”

She expressed gratitude to the National body, the State Council and the outgoing Chapel Executives for their support, which, according to her, she will continue to count on to succeed.

“I will not forget the women folk who rallied around me and added their voices to this clarion call, in Sha Allah, I will make us proud,” Asmau added.

Abdulraheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspapers who contested for the chairmanship position with Asmau voluntarily withdrew from the race on Sunday.

“I acknowledge the bold decision by Mr Abdulraheem Aodu, which he took to ensure my emergence as Chairperson, I remain grateful. Thank you, Sir,” Asmau said in her acceptance speech.

Others who emerged unopposed are Kolo Gimba Moses of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Secretary; Rahila Abdullahi from Leadership Newspapers as Assistant Secretary; Stella Kabruk from NAN as Treasurer; while Onoja David Graphic Newspaper and Gambo Abubakar of Legacy Newspapers emerged as Financial Secretary and Auditor respectively. The position of the Vice Chairman is still vacant.

• PHOTO: Asmau Yawo Halilu, the newly elected first female NUJ Correspondents Chapel Chairman in the North, being presented with Certificate of Return by Garba Muhammad, NUJ National Ex-Officio and Regional Editor News Express Newspapers. PHOTO: News Express.