Kano correspondents’ chapel spends N3m on ramadan food, launches cooperative society
Kola Oyelere, Kano
The Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expended N3 million on the procurement and distribution of Ramadan food items to its members as part of efforts to enhance their welfare.
Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Murtala Adewale, disclosed this during the unveiling of the Chapel’s first-ever Cooperative Society and the inauguration of eminent personalities as trustees of the platform. The event was held on Saturday at the NUJ Secretariat, Press Centre, in Kano.
Adewale revealed that the Kano State Government provided a seed fund of N10 million to kick-start the cooperative scheme, aimed at improving the financial stability of members.
According to him, each member will be eligible to access up to N100,000 worth of food items or a combination of food supplies and cash support under flexible repayment terms.
“A financially secure journalist is more confident and independent. When there is no food on our table, the tendency to compromise increases while productivity declines,” Adewale said.
The ceremony also featured the launch of the Chapel’s maiden Ramadan food distribution programme for members, marking a significant milestone in its welfare initiatives.
Those inaugurated as trustees of the Cooperative Society include Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Mai Mota.
In his remarks, former Chairman of the NUJ Kano State Council and National Trustee, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, traced the history of cooperative movements in Nigeria, describing them as deeply rooted in the country’s economic and cultural development.
He advised the Chapel to diversify its funding sources beyond salary deductions, urging prudent financial management and proper record-keeping to ensure sustainability.
The Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, represented by the Director of Cooperatives in the ministry, Alhaji Najib Dahiru Alkali, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting cooperative societies as vehicles for grassroots economic growth.
He emphasised the need for transparency, accountability and strict adherence to cooperative laws.
Chairman of the Cooperative Trustees, Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, commended the Chapel’s leadership for initiating welfare-driven programmes, expressing confidence that the cooperative would help address members’ financial challenges and reduce ethical pressures often faced in the journalism profession.
Representing the NUJ Chairman, Vice Chairman Comrade Mustapha Gambo Muhammad praised the Chapel’s leadership for fulfilling its campaign promises and encouraged members to sustain their support for the initiative.
In his vote of thanks, Malam Abdullahi Malam described the initiative as timely and impactful, expressing optimism that it would ease hardship among members. Veteran journalist Bashir Mohammed and other stakeholders also lauded the Chapel’s leadership, describing the programmes as visionary and transformative.