Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), has conferred an award of distinguished leadership on the Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine in Abuja, Nigeria, Yusuf Ozi-Usman, NIPR. He is the pioneer chairman of the chapel from 1992 to 1994.
The insignia of the award plaque reads: ‘Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ Distinguished Leadership Service Award 2025, presented to Yusuf Ozi-Usman, in recognition of your quality leadership, dedication and invaluable contributions in your service as Former Chairman’.
The chapel conferred similar award on the subsequent chairmen of the chapel, including Alhaji Tajudeen Suleiman, Dr. Lamara Garba Azare, Osa Director, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Askira, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Garko, Alhaji Mujitaba Ramalan Bello, Alhaji Bala G. Abdullahi, Alhaji Baffa Jakusco and Edwin Olofu. Babajide Otiteju missed the event being one of the foundation executive of the chapel.
Speaking during an organised award night at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano city on Sunday, 28 December, the current chairman of the chapel, Alhaji Murtala Adewale described the event as unique.
According to him, the first chairman of the chapel, Yusuf Ozi-Usman led the chapel from 1992 to 1994, about 33 years ago, saying that his leadership and the leadership of the subsequent chairmen strengthened unity, professionalism and progress in the chapel.
‘Today, it is a privilege for some of us, just occupying this position, to meet these past leaders.
‘We are also celebrating our members who God has elevated to different areas of human endeavour. ‘We are also celebrating our friends, the friends of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, who identify with us at all times’.
He described the Get-together and Award Night as one for ‘reflection, celebration and display of service to humanity’.
Murtala Adewale said that the award night was dedicated to recognizing past leaders and celebrating elevated members of the Chapel.
‘It is also a special night set aside to reward the wisdom of long-serving members, and to recognize the loyal friends of the Chapel’, he said.
Those who received Awards as Friends of the Chapel include former President of the NUJ who also served as former Kano State Commissioner of Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba; Associate Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, Alhaji Inuwa Waya, Honourable Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Honourable Baffa Babba Dan Agundi. Others are Director General Media and Publicity in the State Government House, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa and former member of the House of Representatives, representing Kano Municipal, Honourable Sha’aban Sharada.
Those who got Awards as elevated members of the Chapel are Mr. Babajide Otitoju, Jaafar Jaafar, publisher of Daily Nigerian; Associate Professor Rukaya Aliyu and the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu.
Those who received Long Service Awards at the occasion included Abdullahi Mallam Yusuf, Mohammed Kabir Ya’u, Mohammed Abdulsalam, Chief Jacob Ajakaiye, Desmond Mbogh, Maduabuchi Jerry and Ahmed Mohammed Soron Dinki. One of the oldest journalists in the country, over 80 year old Chief Ajayi Maimeyatan was also honoured.
Ozi-Usman, a member of the Governing Board of the Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria), is also the Guild’s Director, Programmes Development.
