15th March, 2025

The Katsina State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) hereby joins the thousands of journalists nationwide as well as our well wishers in celebrating 70 years of the establishment of our great union.

History has it that the NUJ was established in 1955 during the heat of Nigeria's struggle for independence from British Colonial rule, and it served as a potent tool in fighting for that noble cause.

It is also on record that the significant role played by journalists in the fight to achieve Nigeria's independence can not be quantified.

After the attainment of independence, Nigeria found itself in the intermittent grip of military rule; on each occasion journalists emerged as the heroes that fought at the forefront to return the country to civil rule.

The current democratic dispensation which has been the longest in the country's history — 26 years — was largely fought for and won on the pages of newspapers, the airwaves of radio and screens of television through heroic journalism by members of the NUJ.

Throughout these seventy years, members of the pen profession have faced different shades of blackmail, intimidation, threats, unlawful arrest, detention, conviction and incarceration, while some paid the supreme price, mostly in the hands of military juntas.

The unfortunate and untimely death of the then News watch Magazine Editor, Mr. Dele Giwa, and many of his likes must not be forgotten or overlooked by every democrat and Journalist in Nigeria.

As Journalists, we in Katsina State stand in solidarity with families of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty as well as those who have undergone series of harassments, intimidation or illegal arrest and detention.

Unlike in some parts of the country, here in Katsina State our members are enjoying good working conditions and relative Freedom of the Press, born out of our harmonious working relationship with the State government and security agencies. However, the illegal arrest and detention of some of our members (Danjuma Muhammad — 2018 — and El-Zaharadeen Umar — 2022) will remain unforgettable in the minds of all of us in the profession. 

We will also not forget the victimisation suffered by Mal Mansir Lawal Kaware at his workplace sometime in the year 2001, his offence then was his passionate struggle for the welfare of our members, being the then State Chairman of the NUJ. It is therefore our sincere hope and prayer that something similar to these unfortunate incidents will never happen again to our members.

On this auspicious occasion of the 70th Anniversary of NUJ, we in Katsina State are proud to note that Katsina State is the home of Journalism for the simple historical fact that the state has produced the most famous Journalists who have played vital roles in the struggle for Nigeria's independence; figures such as late Isa Kaita (Wazirin Katsina,) late Alh. Musa Musawa, Mal. Mamman Daura (Dur'bin Daura), Mal. Abubakar Imam, Alh Samaila Isa Funtua as well as the famous historian and writer late Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, to mention only a few.

Similarly, the history of the sustenance of the Fourth Republic can never be complete without the mention of the critical roles played by Journalists and Media organisations, particularly the Weekly/Daily Trust and People's Daily Newspapers established and maintained by Katsina State indegines (Kabiru Yusuf, Mannir Dan-Ali, late Mal Wada Maida, et cetera). 

As the NUJ celebrates 70 years of existence in Nigeria, the role played by some leaders of the Union from  Katsina State towards maintaining peace within the Union at State, Zonal and National levels can never be allowed to go unnoticed. 

We will also use this occasion to express our deep appreciation to successive administrations in Katsina State for their goodwill, cooperation, support, trust, respect and regard for the union and its members in the state. We appreciate and cherish our smooth  working relationship with the state government under the competent leadership of His Excellency, Mallam Dikko Radda, Ph.D.

To the current President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, the Katsina State Council of the Union is very proud to be associated with his leadership and will continue to remain loyal and aligned with his vision and mission for the union.

E. Signed:

Comrade Tukur Dan-Ali Hassan (FCAI),

Chairman