Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has elected Alhasasan Yahaya of the Gombe Media Cooperation (GMC) as its new president.

Yahaya emerged at the 8th Triennial national delegates conference of the Union held in Owerri, on Wednesday.

He garnered 436 votes out of the 602 delegates votes to clinch victory in the poll, having defeated Mr. Bamidele Atunbi, former Treasurer of the Union, and Mr. Garba Mohammed, who got 97 votes and 38 votes, respectively.

Yahaya who hails from Gombe state was deputy National President of NUJ.

Also elected unopposed were the Deputy National President, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde, General Manager Radio Nigeria Bronze FM Edo State, and former BOT of the union.

Comrade Oyetunde, by this feat, remains the first female Deputy National President of NUJ.

Other national officers of the union were unopposed including the National Treasurer Comrade Victor Ndukwe, who was the former Abia State Council Chairman, and Comrade Eze Adiuku, Zonal Secretary for Zone C (South East).

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The election conducted amidst tight security had Comrade Mike Ikeogwu, as the Chairman of the electoral committee.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, has called for a new journalism orientation that, “uses the power of the pen as an instrument to mould and unite the Nigerian nation for rapid development.”

DIG Argungu noted that the era of gorilla journalism should give way to Developmental Journalism adding that “it should no more be a profession for fishing out negative energies but one in partnership with both the Government and the people in building an egalitarian and prosperous nation,”

The PSC Chairman in his goodwill message said, “Journalists as the watchdogs of the society should be at the forefront of providing checks and balances “in our democratic space.

“You are required to enjoy the freedom to exercise all this important national assignment and like Ceaser”s wife should rise above suspicion.”

He said the Journalists must support the Government at all levels to succeed as “this success will bring the required dividends of our growing democracy”.

The PSC Chairman said the Commission holds Nigerian Journalists in high esteem and will always support all efforts to sustain its independence.”

“I also know that this Government in its respect for freedom of association and expression has allowed the Journalists to operate without hindrance,” he said.