The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju has described the Consolidated Chapel as one of the most united and formidable chapel within the council, urging its newly inaugurated executive to preserve the unity and spirit of cooperation that have strengthened the chapel over the years.The chairman stated this on Friday during the inauguration of the new executive of the Consolidated Chapel at the NUJ Secretariat, Ita Eko, where Comrade Bose Akintunde emerged as the new Chairman of the chapel.Other members of the new executive inaugurated alongside her are Comrade Niyi Marayesa, Vice Chairman; Comrade Tobi Akinmade, Secretary; Comrade Raymond Osho, Treasurer; and Comrade Bidemi Bello, Auditor.Speaking at the ceremony, the NUJ chairman said the level of unity within the Consolidated Chapel had distinguished it from many other groups, stressing that the chapel had grown into a strong and respected component of the council.He charged Akintunde and her executive to sustain the unity, warning that internal bickering and division could undermine the progress already recorded by the chapel.“My sermon about telling you that bickering and division will cripple the chapel is not actually meant for you. You are already united. I just want to charge my chairman that you continue to water that stream of unity, so that enemies from within and without will not find their way here and polarise the chapel. “Unity remains critical to progress, efforts made by leaders would not receive the necessary appreciation where there was division. My little charge is that as you step into these roles today, remember that leadership is a call to service and not a platform for ego,” he said.The chairman also commended former leaders and members who contributed to the establishment and growth of the chapel, particularly Comrade Kazim Olowe, whom he described as one of the proponents of its formation.According to him, there were attempts in the past to proscribe the chapel, but he resisted such moves when he assumed office, insisting that no chapel under his leadership would be proscribed.The NUJ chairman urged the new executive to regard leadership as a responsibility to serve rather than an avenue for personal ambition, reminding them that members had the right to ask questions and demand accountability.He further called on the new executive to make mutual respect, healing, professionalism and creativity the defining features of its tenure, saying these would help make the Consolidated Chapel a model for other NUJ chapels.Responding, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Consolidated Chapel, Comrade Bose Akintunde, expressed appreciation to members for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to lead the chapel with commitment, inclusiveness and accountability.Akintunde said her administration would build on the achievements of previous leaders while creating an environment where every member would feel valued and have a sense of belonging.She pledged to promote unity among members, strengthen professional development and ensure that the welfare and interests of journalists remained central to her administration.The new chairman also promised to maintain open communication with members, saying her administration would encourage constructive contributions and provide room for members to express their concerns without fear or intimidation.She appealed to members of the chapel to support the new executive, stressing that the success of the administration would depend largely on collective commitment and cooperation.Akintunde assured that her administration would work collaboratively with the NUJ State Council and other chapels to advance the interests of journalists and strengthen the professional standing of the Consolidated Chapel.
