Oyewole Calls for Unity After Emergence as Bauchi Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The newly elected Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State, Rauf Oyewole, has called on members to unite and work together for the development of the Chapel.

Oyewole made the call on Wednesday while delivering his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared elected by members of the Chapel.

He expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah for making the election possible, while also thanking his family, friends, colleagues, the Electoral Committee and officials of the NUJ Bauchi State Council for their roles in the successful conduct of the exercise.

He commended members of the Chapel for their peaceful conduct during the election, describing their participation as important to the future of the Chapel.

Oyewole also acknowledged the neutrality of the representatives of the NUJ State Council who supervised the exercise, saying their commitment to the Union contributed to the process.

The new chairman said his emergence was not a personal triumph but a responsibility entrusted to him by members.

“This victory is not a personal triumph. It is a responsibility entrusted to me by you, my senior colleagues who expect this leadership to make a difference,” he said.

Oyewole appealed to his fellow contestants to join hands with the new administration, stressing that the election should not create permanent divisions among members.

He specifically extended what he described as a hand of fellowship to his major challenger, Samuel Luka, and other contestants.

“I know this election has produced new leaders, but it has not produced winners and losers. We are all winners,” he said.

According to him, although the campaign may have divided members’ choices, it should not divide their professional fraternity.

“The campaign might have divided our choices, but it must not divide our fraternity. The unity that has been built by our elders must not be destroyed,” he said.

Oyewole assured members that his administration would remain committed to the promises made during the campaign, including fairness, transparency, improved welfare and professional development.

He said the administration would prioritise hands-on training to improve the professional skills of correspondents and urged members to hold the leadership accountable for its promises.

“We shall move from promises to opportunities, from individual struggle to collective progress,” he said.

Oyewole further promised to work towards eliminating divisive tendencies in the Chapel and ensuring that every member had an opportunity to participate in its affairs.

He said the administration would ensure that correspondents were able to discharge their constitutional and professional responsibilities without fear.

He also pledged to leverage partnerships with relevant organisations to attract opportunities and development to members of the Chapel.

“I did not ask you to elect me so that I could lead you alone. I asked you to elect me so that together we can build a professional Union where no member is left behind because they lacked information, connection or opportunity,” Oyewole said.

He called on members to put the election behind them and concentrate on the task of rebuilding and strengthening the Chapel.

“The election has ended. The work begins today. Let’s build the Chapel we all can be proud of,” he said.

Oyewole ended his speech with a personal request to his senior colleagues, asking them to address him by his name rather than by the title of chairman.

“Let us me make this request: I want to be addressed as Rauf Oyewole and not Chairman,” he said.