Kano State Govt,NUJ Establish League of Veteran Journalists
BY Abdullahi Yusuf
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs on Wednesday endorsed the creation of a League of Veteran Journalists of Kano, a professional advisory and mentorship body tasked with preserving the standards, history and integrity of journalism in the state.
This was part of the resolution of a Media Interactive Dialogue held at the NUJ Press Center, Kano.
The event brought together veteran journalists, active media practitioners, journalism educators, union leaders, media managers, news editors, senior civil servants and other key stakeholders aimed at strengthening ethical journalism and reshaping media practice in Kano State and beyond.
The engagement, which formed part of the activities of the two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NUJ, provided a rare platform for seasoned journalists to share their wealth of experience with the younger generation, while also addressing contemporary challenges facing the profession.
At the event, a nine-member committee was inaugurated to design the league’s structure, membership criteria and operational framework.
Members of the committee are:Alhaji Baba Halilu Dantiye, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu, Alhaji Mohammed Danyaro, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kwakwatawa,Prof. Umar Faruk Jibril, Associate Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule,Dr. Saminu Umar Rijiyar Zaki,Mustapha Gambo Muhammed and Hauwa Sulaiman Zaharaddeen.
In his address, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s commitment to creating a journalist-friendly environment.
Comrade Wayya commended the NUJ for organizing its NEC meeting in Kano and assured of continuous support for the union’s initiatives aimed at effective public information dissemination.
He also emphasized the government’s efforts at settling significant pension arrears of retired journalists, investing in media infrastructure and enhancing human capital development, while also responding decisively to security challenges in the state.
The commissioner described the dialogue as a timely intervention in strengthening professional ethics, assuring that the State Government would continue to partner with the NUJ and veteran journalists to improve the quality of journalism in the state.
Earlier, the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, said the interaction was held in recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of veteran journalists, describing them as the watchdogs of the society.
Yahaya highlighted the importance of the Media Enhancement Bill, which seeks to improve journalists’ welfare through provisions such as insurance coverage, as a pathway to encouraging responsible and ethical reporting.
“This engagement provides a platform to share experiences, acquaint the younger generation with the rudiments of journalism, and discuss the need to adapt to modern techniques,” he said.
Former NUJ National President, Comrade Sani Zoro, reflected on the remarkable impact of the Kano State chapter of the NUJ at the national level, noting the number of revered officials it had produced over the years.
Veteran contributors, including former Commissioners of Information and Internal Affairs, Alhaji Baba Halilu Dantiye and Professor Umar Faruk Ibrahim; former Permanent Secretaries, Alhaji Muhammad Danyaro and Alhaji Ahmed Aminu; Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule; and Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmad Kwakwatawa, urged younger journalists to uphold professional ethics for a prosperous future.
They called also for regular engagements with veterans to strengthen the profession’s integrity.
Key resolutions from the dialogue included organizing quarterly media dialogues to sustain ethical standards and professional development,encouraging veteran journalists to mentor upcoming practitioners using digital platforms and providing convergence facilities for retired journalists to foster intellectual exchange.
Others were,ensuring broadcast media recruit trained and articulate presenters,establishing recognition and reward systems for journalists who uphold high ethical values,prioritizing socially relevant content aligned with the state’s socio-cultural realities and supporting the creation of strong private television stations to boost Kano’s national visibility.
The Media Interactive Dialogue concluded with a renewed pledge from all stakeholders to work collectively towards a vibrant, responsible and respected journalism practice in Kano State and Nigeria.