Emmanuel Abi Couson.
The immediate past National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mallam Shuaibu Usman Leman Friday said there is ever present danger threatening the Nigerian media.
Leman however said he was ‘ Convinced that the light our predecessors lit will never be extinguished ,for it is the flame of humanity, justice and compassion “.
Speaking while handing over to his successor Com Achike Chude , he said despite the fact that there is an ever present danger that threatens the media there is still light at the end of the tunnel.
Going on the memory lane when he assumed office in November 2002 he said “we resolved to work towards performing at a level of devotion and
commitment to an ideal of service worthy of our members’ trust.
“For those who had the opportunity of going through my book: My
Journey, published to commemorate my official retirement in 2021, you
will have an idea of the little interventions we made towards laying a solid
foundation for our Union.
“We hope that our efforts will be sustained and
improved upon by our future Leaders.
“Trust is the bedrock of leadership. Without public confidence in a leader’s
intentions and ability to realise them, there is little that can be
accomplished.
“A leader’s performance is thus determined as much by the
trust people deposit in him.That we came as far as we had is a testament
to your faith in us and we appreciate this immensely.
“My time in office was defined by the belief that NUJ could be a Union in
which we are all partners in progress. We believe that our call to leadership
was a call to fulfill a noble if not sacred duty, not only unto Journalists and
the Media, but also to our people and unto God Almighty in whom we
trust.
“We were mindful that the present reflects both the past and the
future.
“Without any doubt, my assumption of office was a covenant between
myself and our forebears whose sacrifices ensured the creation of NUJ in
1955 and to our past Leaders who had held the Union in trust for us and
the future generations.
“As I come to the end of my term, I look ahead with pride and hope. I pray
for a brighter tomorrow and a better future for Journalists and the Nigerian
Media.
“Our profession encourages respect, courtesy, and good breeding
and these are traits we must preserve. As professionals , we have sacred lines of behaviour and public decorum that must never be crossed.
“There
are bounds of propriety that we should never ignore, no matter how intense the inducement or disputes.
“My Dear Colleagues, it has been the greatest honour and privilege of my
life to have served at your pleasure for these years. The road ahead of us
is long and difficult but the good thing is that it is a journey, not a
destination.’.
“Finally like I said in Umuahia, Abia State during the 2021 Triennial National
Delegates Conference, I seek for the forgiveness of those I might have offended in the course of my tenure , for it is said, to err is human, to
forgive is divine.
“For me , I have long forgiven my traducers as I am fulfilled and I go in peace. For the Bible says in Matthew 6:14-15 – “ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.
“Once more, I thank all Members of the Media fraternity in Nigeria and
beyond , my family members, friends and associates who stood by me
and with me during the period of my tenure. I pray that the same support
will be extended to my successor.”
