Nigeria Union of Journalists Kano Correspondents’ Chapel Launches Cooperative Society, Disburses Ramadan Support

By Ladan Nasidi, Kano

Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has unveiled its first-ever Cooperative Society and inaugurated prominent personalities as trustees of the new platform.

The event, held at the NUJ Conference Hall in Kano, also featured the launch of the Chapel’s maiden Ramadan Foodstuff Programme, during which food items and cash support were distributed to members.

Named as trustees of the Cooperative Society are Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule; the Kano State Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa; and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Mai Mota.

Speaking at the ceremony, former Chairman of the NUJ Kano State Council and National Trustee of the union, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, highlighted the long-standing role of cooperative movements in Nigeria’s socio-economic development. He urged the Chapel to adopt prudent financial management and proper record-keeping to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

The Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, represented by the Director of Cooperatives, Alhaji Najib Dahiru Alkali, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to supporting cooperative societies as vehicles for grassroots economic growth. He emphasized transparency, accountability and adherence to cooperative laws.

Chairman of the Cooperative Trustees, Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, commended the Chapel’s leadership for introducing welfare-focused programmes and expressed optimism that the cooperative would ease members’ financial challenges and reduce ethical pressures in the profession.

Also speaking, the Chapel Chairman, Comrade Murtala Adewale, described the initiative as a historic milestone. He disclosed that the Kano State Government provided a seed fund of N10 million, while N3 million was allocated for the Ramadan food distribution. Members, he said, can access up to N100,000 worth of food items or a mix of food and cash 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 stated.

Other stakeholders at the event commended the Chapel’s leadership, describing the initiative as timely and impactful for members’ welfare.