USMAN ADAMU’s UNOPPOSED SECOND TERM: CONSOLIDATION OF LEADERSHIP AND A RENEWED PROMISE FOR KWARA STATE INFORMATION CHAPEL OF NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ)
By Sayid Kareem Talha
When members of the Kwara State Information Chapel filed into the congress hall last week, the atmosphere carried an unmistakable sense of continuity and confidence, and by the time nominations closed, it was clear that Comrade Usman Adamu was returning unopposed for a second term as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), State Information Chapel; a testament to his leadership, his record, and the trust reposed in him by colleagues across board.
His first three years, widely acknowledged as one of the most stable periods in the Chapel’s recent history, were marked by purposeful reforms, unity-driven engagement, and repositioning of the Chapel as a respected voice within the Council and the wider NUJ family.
First term built on results, stability, and professionalism
Usman Adamu’s stewardship began at a time when the Chapel needed reorganisation, reorientation, and renewed vibrancy, and three years down the line, members agree that he delivered in the following areas:
- rebuilding unity and internal cohesion
His intentional bridge-building among members, young and old, serving and retired, helped restore harmony; he discouraged factional tendencies and instituted an open-door policy that made the Chapel stronger and more united.
- enhanced welfare and professional development
Under his leadership, members benefited from capacity-building workshops, media ethics seminars, and digital tools support, and he ensured that training programmes were more inclusive and accessible.
- stronger relationship with stakeholders
From the Ministry of Communications to other MDAs, his collaborative approach strengthened the Chapel’s visibility and influence, and senior officials regularly described the Chapel under his watch as “the most organised information block in recent years.”
- rebranding and community impact
He introduced modest but impactful innovations, revitalising Chapel activities, improving attendance culture, supporting professional recognition for hardworking members, and ensuring responsible reportage among government information officers.
- institutional stability and administrative transparency
His calm temperament, disciplined leadership style, and financial accountability restored members’ trust in Chapel administration; and these achievements explain why members returned him unopposed, a rare privilege earned through consistent service.
Charting a bigger vision: a guide for an unforgettable legacy
As he steps into his second term, expectations are high, and members believe he can create a legacy comparable to some of the NUJ’s most respected leaders, such as Comrade Biodun Abdulkareem, Comrade Abdulhakeem Garba, Comrade Umar Abdulwahab, Comrade Tayo Ayanda, and Comrade Mustafa Muhammad Abubakar, Comrade Oni Stephen, and Comrade Wole Adedeji(Elder), among others.
To join this hall of impactful leaders, Usman Adamu’s second term should focus on institutionalising a Leadership Academy for Information Officers, strengthening documentation and knowledge transfer through handbooks and updated communication protocols, deepening mentorship for young information officers, driving digital transformation through archives and newsletters, establishing practical welfare structures, and initiating legacy projects that will bear his name and mark his contribution for years to come.
Appreciation to stakeholders, elders, and supporters
In the heat of union politics, the massive support accorded Usman Adamu did not come accidentally, and the Chapel acknowledges the unbroken encouragement received from serving and retired Directors, Deputy Directors, and Heads of Units in the Ministry of Communications; longstanding members of the NUJ family; the NAWOJIANS who consistently uphold professionalism and ethical values; and senior officers whose mentoring spirit has shaped younger members. This coalition of wisdom, experience, and goodwill continues to be the Chapel’s strongest asset.
A charge to the Council: Lead as a father, not otherwise
As the Information Chapel renews its mandate and strengthens its internal structures, it is important to extend a sincere charge to the Kwara State NUJ Council: leadership at any level must reflect fatherhood, protective, guiding, fair, and just. A council should not be a source of intimidation or manipulation; rather, it should act as a father-figure, providing cover, direction, and moral guidance for all chapels under its jurisdiction.
The union has learned through history that everything in leadership is transitional; no office is permanent, no influence lasts forever, and every decision taken today becomes a record tomorrow. Every action carries an inaction, a consequence, and a ripple effect that may return when least expected.
Therefore, the Council is respectfully reminded to uphold the principles that strengthen the NUJ: fairness, impartiality, inclusiveness, and wisdom. The Council must avoid actions that promote division or interference intended to weaken the Information Chapel or any other chapel; instead, it must guide with maturity, listen more, understand better, and act in a manner befitting a responsible parent-body. The message remains firm: be a good father, treat every chapel with equal respect, and let your hands build, not scatter, for leadership is fleeting while legacies are permanent.
Those who hold office today will one day sit among the elders of the union, looking back at the footprints they left behind; let those footprints be honourable.
Caution to internal detractors and external forces: choose unity over division
While the overwhelming endorsement of Usman Adamu signifies unity, it is necessary to address the small pockets of resistance, both internal sycophants who attempt to profit from confusion and external actors seeking to divide the Chapel for their own interests. The message is simple and clear: the Chapel will not bend to divisive tactics; the era of backdoor politics and misinformation is over; it is time to join the winning train of progress, unity, and responsible journalism. Members are encouraged to rise above petty differences, reject whisper-campaigns, and embrace the shared vision of a stronger Information Chapel.
A second term of hope and consolidation
Usman Adamu’s unopposed victory is more than an electoral outcome; it is a collective endorsement of his character, principles, and competence. His new mandate offers an opportunity to build a legacy defined by unity, professionalism, institutional reform, and lasting impact, and as he begins this next chapter, one thing remains certain: the Chapel stands at the threshold of a brighter, more stable, and more purposeful future.
