Sunday, July 4, 2021, was a historic day not only for the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) Kano/Jigawa Forum but also for the NGE at the national level, as it was the day set aside for the two historical events.
It was on that day that the just-elected President of NGE, Mustapha Isah, attended the wedding ceremony of the daughter of one of our respected, generous senior colleagues and veteran journalist and former Deputy President NGE, Malam Suleiman Uba Gaya, at his residence. Many people were in attendance including members of the guild across all walks of life and other journalists.
Later in the evening, the chairman Kano/Jigawa forum, Dr. Sule Yau Sule, hosted a warm and surprising reception in honour of two new elected members of the guild, Habibu Nuhu Kila and Umoru Ibrahim. In the recent NGE election held in Kano, Habibu Kila was elected unopposed as Vice President North while Umoru Ibrahim was elected as a member of the standing committee, having scored the highest votes of over 200.
Barely a week after his election as VP North, Habibu Kila was appointed Special Adviser to the Jigawa state governor on Media and Public Relations, an appointment he described as cumulative efforts by the guild through its respected and amiable former president of NGE, Halilu Baba Dantiye.
The two events of the good Sunday will be written in gold and kept in the historical record of the guild as it has never happened, just as many eulogised the host, Dr. Sule Yau Sule, who single-handedly bankrolled the reception.
Dr. SYS is truly a man of honour, integrity and thoughtful. We commend him for the kind gesture, May Allah reward him abundantly.
Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule while speaking during the event said he decided to organise the reception to formally and informally express his gratitude to members for their cooperation during the convention which saw the emergence of the two members. He called on them to be good ambassadors of the Kano/Jigawa Forum.
In a speech earlier, the National President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mustapha Isa, described Kano as his second home, pointing out that Kano/Jigawa Forum is a well-organised forum and will forever remain a reference point in the history of the guild.
The president who used the opportunity to thank the LOC for what he described as an excellent job in making the convention a huge success, assured the Kano/Jigawa Forum that he will live up to his campaign promises.
“I assure you that by the grace of Allah, I will not let you down. If anything, I shall consolidate on the foundation of my first tenure,” he said.
Similarly, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmed, who is a Fellow of the NGE and veteran journalist, in his speech commended the new exco and urged the new president of the guild to maintain his humility and sacrifice. He advised the new president to keep his campaign promises and adhere to the constitution and guidelines in the discharge of his duties.
A former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Alhaji Halilu Baba Dantiye, also contributed by advising the new president of the guild, Mustapha Isa, not to lose his friends because of his new office.
Dantiye, who is also a Fellow of the NGE, said responding to everyone who seeks his attention is the hallmark of a good leader.
According to Dantiye, “Don’t despise anyone who needs your attention because of your new position. Keep a good listening ear and carry everyone along”.
The former NGE president stated further that hard work and good performance make the future brighter for a leader, and promised to offer assistance to the new exco whenever the need arises.
Also making his contribution, a former Deputy President of the guild, Alhaji Suleiman Uba Gaya, praised the new president, Mustapha Isa, for what he called his integrity and simplicity.
He noted that Mustapha Isa is a man of his words, considering his assessment of him during his first tenure and pledged to continue to offer his help at all times.
The celebrants, Kila and Umoru, who could not hide their emotions, commended the organiser, Dr. SYS and prayed for journey mercy back home for the president and other members of the guild.
Other members spoke during the reception included Elder Malam Usman Usman, Dr. Halima Kamilu, Dr. Muktar Magaji, Hajia Aisha Sule Fnge, Muhd Hussaini Kwalam, Sabo Guri, among others.
The reception was held at Green Desert Palm Hotel, near Hajj Camp, Kano.
Dangida is a member of NGE Kano/Jigawa Forum and Publisher/Editor in Chief Hotpen and Mahangar Arewa magazines based in Kano.
