GLAMOUR, HONOUR AND LEGACY AS NUJ KANO CORRESPONDENTS FÊTE VETERANS, EX-LEADERS

Glamour and nostalgia filled the air on Sunday as the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) rolled out the drums to celebrate its long-serving members, past chairmen and friends of the chapel at its 2025 Get-together and Award Night.

The colourful event, held at Tahir Guest Palace on Ibrahim Natsugune Road, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, drew journalists, media executives, academics, politicians and other stakeholders from across the state, underscoring the enduring influence of the chapel within and outside the media space.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Chapel, Alhaji Murtala Adewale, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the event, describing it as historic and symbolic.

He noted that the gathering reunited 10 former chairmen of the chapel, many of whom are now based in different parts of the country and have spent over three decades in journalism.

According to him, the award night was dedicated to reflection, celebration and service to humanity, stressing that it was designed to honour past leaders, reward the wisdom and sacrifice of long-serving members, celebrate elevated colleagues and appreciate friends who have consistently identified with the chapel.

“This is a special night to recognise our roots, celebrate our growth and honour those who have contributed immensely to the survival and progress of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel,” Adewale said.

In his remarks, the member representing Fagge Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Barrister M.B. Shehu, who was honoured as a Friend of the Chapel, urged the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed tax reform law in the interest of Nigerians.

He also called on the National Assembly leadership to treat the matter with utmost seriousness.
The NNPP lawmaker further advised journalists and other public servants to continue working for the unity of the country, stressing that Nigeria remains one indivisible nation despite political, religious and ethnic differences.

He commended the chapel for organising what he described as an all-important and timely event.
Among those honoured as Friends of the Chapel were former NUJ President and ex-Kano State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba; Associate Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule; Inuwa Waya; and former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, represented by the Managing Director of the National Productivity Commission, Hon. Baffa Babba Dan Agundi.

Others included Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, and former House of Representatives member for Kano Municipal, Hon. Sha’aban Sharada.
Awards for elevated members of the chapel went to Babajide Otitoju, Jaafar Jaafar of Daily Nigerian, Associate Prof. Rukaya Aliyu and the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu.

Also recognised were former chairmen and senior members, including Lamara Garba Azare, Yakubu Musa, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Tajuddeen Suleiman, Osa Director, Aminu Ahmed Garko and Edwin Olofu.

Long Service Awards were presented to Abdullahi Mallam Yusuf, Mohammed Kabir Ya’u, Mohammed Abdulsalam, Jacob Ajakaiye, Desmond Mbogh, Maduabuchi Jerry and Ahmed Mohammed Soron Dinki, capping a night that celebrated dedication, excellence and the enduring bond of the journalism profession.