…. Leaders to be addressed as National Chairperson, State Coordinators
…….How women journalists played politics
It’s no longer news that National Association of Women Journalists has got a new leader in the person of Aisha Bura. What is most significant is that the association now has new appellations.
Bura who clinched the coveted seat after two consecutive attempts, is a graduate of Mass Communications from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
She emerged victorious at the 11th triennial delegates conference of NAWOJ held in Abuja at the weekend, after flooring Ladi Bala, in a keenly contested election.
In her acceptance speech immediately after the election, she congratulated all ‘Nawojians’ for a successful election.
She further informed members that henceforth, she should be addressed as ‘National Chairperson’ as against the former appellation of ‘President’, which has been reserved solely for the NUJ President.
She said that all state chairpersons would also be known as ‘State Coordinators’ and pledged the loyalty of the entire NAWOJ to the leadership of the umbrella Nigerian Union of Journalists led by the President, Chris Isiguzo.
Periscope Nigeria reports that Bura’s emergence may not be unconnected with the perceived support received from NUJ leadership, which has also been confirmed by her recent pronouncement on appellations, and pledge of loyalty.
Bala’s administration pundits claimed made the NUJ leadership jittery, some said instead of pledging loyalty it may opt out of the mother body. A position Cynthia Yakubu, told this medium was not true, describing it as fear hinged on lack of foresight and open-mindedness.
“To those that had such fear, they were not correct, instead they sold that as propaganda to reduce Ladi Bala’s support base. The purveyors of the rumours don’t have foresight and they are not open-minded,” Yakubu added.
Another, delegate who begged for anonymity told our correspondent that the conference’s result was impacted by money politics, and religion, adding “it was no longer about performance but one that was centered on religion, money politics. No victor, no vanquished. As long as the new leadership is willing to welcome inputs we will contribute our quota.”
The source added that the candidates had their support base from political bigwigs, “this was the spice to the whole thing. They all know one political stalwart or the other ranging from various political parties aside supporting them financially anticipated their successes,” she added.
