The Northern-based media group, under the umbrella of Northern Online Media Reporters and Publishers, NORP, on Saturday elected its national executive members.
The election, held in Kaduna at Arewa House, Kaduna, was supervised by the Electoral Committee of the union.
Comrade Musa Mohammed from Kaduna State emerged as the new Executive National President in a keenly contested election.
He polled 287 votes to defeat his rival, Comrade Lynn Adda, the former NUJ chairman, Taraba State, who got 138 votes.
Comrade Femi Adi from Kogi State emerged as the Executive National Secretary with 210 votes. He defeated Comrade Rayyan Al-Hassan, who polled 207 votes.
By the constitution of the Union, the Deputy National Secretary and National Assistant Secretary positions are reserved for persons who come second in both.
Therefore, Comrade Lynn Adda and Comrade Rayyan Al-Hassan emerged as Deputy National President and National Assistant Secretary accordingly.
Others who emerged unopposed are Comrade Zaharaddeen Ishaq Zailani – National Financial Secretary; Comrade Abraham Suleman – Asst. National Financial Secretary, and Comrade Abbas Yusha’u Yusuf – National Treasurer.
In his acceptance speech, Comrade Musa Mohammed urged members of the group across the 19 northern states to take advantage of social media platforms to fight fake news and promote good governance.
According to him, social media platforms can only be reliable for information dissemination when professional journalists take over and use them professionally.
“Our greatest headache is the citizen journalist problem, where anyone can post anything online without verifying the source or authenticating such stories.
But the good thing is that professional journalists are taking over now,” he said.
While urging members to work within the ethics of the profession, he expressed commitment to ensuring unity and progress of the Union within the three-year term of office.
He, however, thanked the members who turned out for the election and prayed for their safe return to their destinations.
