*Says Isaiah Benjamin-led executive will consolidate on Sir Sirawoo’s successes
Being text of his handing over speech at the end of his tenure as the chairman SWAN Yobe Chapter
By; AHMED KAGANA AMSHI
I am delighted today to address you in my capacity as the outgoing State chairman of SWAN Yobe chapter with joy and happiness and to say goodbye after given the opportunity to serve for two terms in office.
It is against this back drop and in accordance with SWAN statute for anyone whose tenure elapsed has to step down and/or organize a fresh elections to usher in new set of executives that will take over the affairs of the association.
Although, in our case, having stayed a little bit over due, following the need to ensure the conclusion of the national elections, I will like to say that we appreciate the extension given to us to stay little bit over our time. Today, we are here to do the right thing and hand over to the new set of executives that the members are going to appoint, elect, nominate or whatever we collectively agreed to on.
I have no doubt in my mind to say that, despite the little we achieved during our tenure, we are far better than the time we took over from our predecessors.
Since the beginning of my tenure, our membership increased at least above the constitutional requirements of above ten registered members, with the development, in the zone, we are leading despite our numbers at the moment.
As a chapter, we always try to find our ways to attend any national event wherever the program is planned to take place.
To maintain our partnership with other unions and associations, our chapter, in conjunction with NUJ organized Media Games, where five sporting events i.e, Football, Table tennis, Badminton, Scrabbles and Tag of war were featured. We have equally continued to work in harmony with the Yobe State Sports Council to cover Dessert Stars Football club events in their homes and aways matches in addition to coverage of other sports events.
We were sometime given opportunity to attend National Youth Games. We were also at the recent one that held in Ogun state to cover the events.
As chairman of the chapter, I was given opportunities to organize events in collaboration or in separate; I had opportunity to chair the committee that organized the first NUJ Ministerial Press Briefing, chaired the committee that organizes NUJ/SWAN Media Games, chaired NUJ Dinner and Prize Awards committee and currently chairing the committee for a Media Games (second edition) also organized by NUJ.
During the period under review, we have made several attempts to repair and occupy our offices at NUJ and Sports Council but, due to financial challenges, we were unable to do so. I urge the next executive committee to gear efforts in seeing that, in no distant time, make it possible for the association to occupy these offices.
On our finances, the secretary of the chapter and the treasurer will shade more light on financial supports we enjoyed and how they were spent in their individual presentations.
We were recently at Omoku Rivers State to elect new set of leaders of national executive committee which saw the emergence of Mr. Isaiah Benjamin led team. I’m pleased to inform you that I also formed part of the team as the Vice President North East.
Let me quickly say, we hosted a Presidential visit during our tenure. The former National President Dr. Sir Honour Sirawoo was in the State on a two-day working visit during which we took him to Gashu’a Bade Local Government Area to pay homage to the Swan Yobe Grand Patron, His Royal Highness the Emir of Bade and Deputy chairman State Council of Traditional rulers Mai Abubakar Suleiman II in his palace.
Let me at this point, seize the opportunity and express my profound appreciation to the National President and his team for finding me fit to be appointed for the seat of VP North East and also former National President Dr. Sir Honour Sirawoo for his recommendation of my appointment, I say a big thank you to you all.
My fellow colleagues, let me say that, the national executive committee (NEC) which today I am part of, will by the grace of God, perform differently under the leadership of Mr. Isaiah Benjamin to further lift up the association and bring about positive development and growth in the association.
At this juncture, I will like to use this opportunity to thank my EXCO and our members for the supportive role they played during my tenure, I urge you to extend same to my successor for him and his team to succeed.
Let also thank Yobe State government for the support we continue to enjoy anytime we look for any assistance. The State government in one of the media engagements we had with the Executive Governor, His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni has promised the association allocation of a bus. I am calling on the next executives to follow up.
Let me specifically thank the SSG, Baba Malam Wali, HoS, Alh. Garba Bilah, Chief of Staff to His Excellency, DG to His Excellency on Media and Press Affairs, Alh. Mammam Mohamed. for their individual support to the association.
Let me with specially regards, thank our Grand Patron, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Bade, Mai Abubakar Suleiman II and Deputy Chairman State Council of Traditional Rulers for his fatherly role and support anytime we visit him in his Palace or at his Damaturu residence.
Finally, let me seek for your forgiveness in the event, I may have offended someone in the course of discharging my duties as SWAN chairman. My actions were not in anyway intended to hurt anybody, just as I have forgiven those who in one way or the other might have hurt me, too.
Thank you so much for your attention, patience and understanding.
Outgoing SWAN Chairman Yobe State and serving SWAN VP North East, AHMED KAGANA AMSHI
