Corruption Rocks NUJ Borno, As 4 Exco members’ tender resignation

Corruption Rocks NUJ Borno, As 4 Exco members’ tender resignation

By, James Bwala

Four members of the executive council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Borno state chapter have tendered resignation letters following alleged corruption involving the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Bulama Talba, the Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim and the Auditor, Comrade Habib Saleh.

The Chairman, an employee of the Borno state government currently servicing as the Chief Press Secretary to Borno state deputy governor, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, the Secretary, a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and the Auditor, An information Officer with the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and Resettlement were reportedly said to have connive to sell the property of the union (landed property) for twelve million naira (N12, 000,000:00) and share eleven million naira(N11,000,000:00) amongst them.while one million naira (N1,000,000:00)was said  to been sent to the national secretariat as dues.

Members of the union, who were raged by this development, approached the Chairman, Comrade Bulama Talba over the matter, which he was said to have vehemently denied. However, the Secretary of the Union, Mohammed Ibrahim confesses to the crime after much pressure from members.

“He told us at the press briefing by the Commissioner of Police that he collected four million, but promised to sell some of his property for a refund.” Mohammed Ibrahim was quoted to have said when members of the union accosted him.

Angered by this development, four other members of the exco, who wrote to the national headquarters of the NUJ and copied all chapels in Maiduguri said, their action was informed by the costly and unethical behaviors of the Chairman, the Secretary and the Auditor of the Union.

In the letter, signed by the Babagana Bukar, Vice Chairman , Hauwa Bata, Treasurer , Chiroma Ali Ibrahim, Assistant Secretary and Dauda Iliya, Secretary Financial Secretary. The four Exco members explained thus:

“We will like to bring into the kind notice of members of Nigeria Union of Journalists Borno state Council about a scandalous act in which the Chairman connived with the Secretary as well as the Auditor and sold four plots of NUJ land near Bakasi housing estate, Maiduguri Borno state.

“The trio without consulting the remaining state council officials, without convening a State Executive Council SEC meeting or Congress meeting wrote a letter dated 15th October, 2021 to NUJ National Secretariat seeking approval to sell 2 plots of the land for the purpose of fencing the entire NUJ land alleging that Borno state government is planning to revoke the property if not developed and was granted approval on the 20th October.

“Four months after the approval, the Chairman, Secretary and Auditor shrouded the disgraceful act in secrecy until on 22nd January, 2022 when the State Working Committee SWC had its meeting.

“Surprisingly, the matter was not on agenda of the meeting and when we inquired to know the position of the land, the Chairman vehemently denied knowledge that some portion of the land was disposed of. After long interrogation, the Secretary confessed that they sold 4 instead of the 2 plots earlier approved by the National Secretariat at the cost of 12 million naira and shamelessly shared the money among themselves; that is the Chairman, Secretary and Auditor.

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“Sadly, up to this moment, there is no single block placed for fencing of the land, hence disassociating ourselves with this disgraceful act.It is in light of the above, that we hereby tender our resignation letter in accordance with Article 5 (e)(5) of the NUJ constitution and after due consultation with our respective chapels to protect our integrity and that of the union.

“We would like to appreciate the support and cooperation given to us by the entire members of NUJ Borno Council throughout our stay as officials.”

NEWSng reports that, following this development, the Exco has called for a Sec, meeting, which is scheduled for 12 noon today (Tuesday) to further discuss the issue and hopefully called a congress of members to resolve or escalate the matter as members have begun to call for their impeachment.

Corruption Rocks NUJ Borno, As 4 Exco members’ tender resignation