When the then chairman, Paul Jatau increased the tempo of the activities of NUJ Press Week from 2018, it became a matter priority to get the right person to step into his shoes once he left.
Without prejudice to whoever wanted to step into the shoes, Ayuku Pwaspo became the favourite candidate. She must have understudied her predecessor well enough to know what NUJ needed at each point.
This year's Press Week was an improvement on the first; having settled down, a definite, but categorical statement was needed in the second year. The NUJ in Plateau got it, without embellishment.
The preparations for the event by the 2025 Pqress Week Committee, which had John Farinola and Zainab Babaji (Zee Baby) as chairman and secretary respectively showed they wanted to make it successful, together with its members.
The mobilisation became a point of reference; only the Council could tell the number of sleepless nights they had to traverse the offices of individuals and corporate headquarters of organisations to raise funds together with the planning committee.
A week to start, the Council had invited the Patron and Emir of Dutse, HRH Dr Muhammadu Sambo Haruna II to inspect some of the projects embarked upon by the Ayuku Pwaspo-led leadership of the Council.
He did not only visit the Press Centre, but as it is usual with his interventions, there were several advices to help hasten the completion of the projects undertaken by the NUJ in Plateau.
Talking about the Press Week, the Emir was upbeat, but more about what NUJ may engage itself so as to draw the attention of its partners towards receiving help.
That is the kind of drive you get from a man who has been so determined to put the Council on the side of value addition, by playing the needed role in the society.
That was reiterated when he spoke at the colloquium, while appealing to government, and lovers of the good things NUJ does to help raise funds towards the completion of projects started at the Press Centre.
By this noble intervention, it is hoped that the next tranche of construction work will soon be started.
Road walk
Despite what may have been thought as hiccups in the low turnout, the curtain raiser by the road walk indicated more of a resolve to engage members in what could keep them in shape; after working for several months on their beats without any exercise.
Journalists work round the clock, trying to beat deadlines, as they hardly have time to engage in extra curricular activities. It was expected for most of them to turn out to celebrate.
At the Secretariat Overhead Bridge, where the first stop was made, messages were received from chairman of Council, General Manager of PRTV, Kachalom Abba and House Committee Chairman on Information, Kwarpo Matthew Sylvanus gave kudos to what NUJ has been doing.
Messages of hope were said to cheer members as they made to return to the Press Centre; with most members taking pictures to remind those who didn't make it to note and 'see where we got to'.
Colloquium at Crispan
This year's, like the others, was aimed at a deep introspection of what has happened in the life of the state.
Tagged: "Plateau: What Next After The Crossroads,"cannot be anything but 'a timely reflection on our journey so far and the opportunities" that lie ahead for Plateau State.
The choice of His Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Gbong Gwom Jos, was not a mistake; by virtue of his position, the Council of Chiefs and Emirs who daily feel the pains their people go through after every attack since 1994, know what to say about the state's position.
The event was chaired by no less a person than Rt Hon Titus Alams, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly. The array of dignitaries who attended the event speak of what the initiative meant to the state; taking a look forward.
Even though he could not attend, the representative of the Gbong Gwom, Da Gwom Rwei, Heipang, Da Paul Tadi Tok was available to read his text.
The discussions coordinated by the Resident Scholar in the Department of Theatre and Film Arts University of Jos helped to know what the ordinary man on the streets of Jos feel about developments in the state.
Dakom Makpring Longul had the initiative wrapped under his feet; in order to get the discussants to speak truthfully about where the state ought to be: At crossroads or at the point that things ought to work for the state.
Whatever challenge the state has found itself, there is no denying the claim that the value additions made by various governments almost fifty years since its creation cannot be erased by words of mouth.
More can be done, if the state is united, but more importantly if the direction of governance is to be felt; the state must be united to fight as a team.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt Hon Joyce Ramnap, who represented Governor Caleb M Mutfwang spoke on the various forms of interventions the government has provided since 2023.
Novelty match
Journalists may not be footballers; they could love sports, but only a few may be counted as truly interested in the game.
Novelty matches are, by nature, meant to create fun; after which participants rue their pains; return home to apply analgesics to soothe their pains.
Whoever was the coach of the NUJ teams who made the selection for the five-aside, particularly in the male team, should be brought before the NUJ Disciplinary Committee for questioning.
Team Green's deficiency at the beginning was palpable; no wonder, Sanusi Namu's goal keeping prowess fell three times to the fighting power of Maju Dangha.
Namu was quickly replaced with Highland's Koptang Dakop, knowing that if he was left, the team might return to the Press Centre with a basket filled with goals. The reason: He had not eaten to enable him stand between the posts.
Koptang's heroics saved the team from more goals, otherwise Rabiu Abdullahi, Sani Murtala, Pam Dusu, Maklek were in good form to subdue the Dauda Daniel-led team.
Daniels Milton's theatrical displays, reduced Brasil's Neymar Jr Da Silva's showmanship to a child's play had the Referee, Sammy Adesoji not displayed full knowledge of the art.
The match ended 5:2, unlike the female's which ended 2:0 in favour of Team Blue. Team White made of Ayuku Pwaspo, Maikudi Lyop Pam, Simi Chollom, Jemimah Abe, Lungbyen Miri, Asile Abel and Oyebola Albarka who was in goal were unbeatable until way into the second half that they caved in.
Two cheap goals from Bilkisu Nuhu and Esther Oyang separated the girls from the women.
They stood nonplussed after conceding the goals that Ayuku Pwaspo had provided cover for while she played; until she and Lafe Tyem got injured in the process.
At the cultural display, both showed that they were going to be on the sidelines for a long time because of the injuries they picked.
Cultural/cuisine extravaganzas
This year's, rather than get ethnic groups to come out in a procession, a zonal arrangement was made it. Tribes from the three zones danced to different musical rendition; with member dancers from any of the zones getting involved.
Those who were involved in the preparation of the different cuisines had the benefit of hindsight: Last year's was a lesson for the fear of having running stomachs from pepperish foods by the guests and members.
There was enough to eat and drink; to prepare those who would later need the energy to dance. Consider, the Swange dancers Mwuese Ade1@@ 'imported' need energy, than the Hausa version that drew the groundnut sellers watching on the sidelines to join.
Who would have thought that Mathias Yengoet Dajan, popularly called Omega 3 would need his dancing shoes and skills all through the night; even when DJ Dado had sounded the note closing shop for the night.
If it was on a football field; together with his brother, Jude Dangwam, they would have been tested for alleged usage of anabolic steroids. Sheer joy of the evening made them to sweat more.
Thanksgiving service
At the Living Faith State Headquarters on Richard Street, Jos, where the thanksgiving service was well attended by members would be remembered for a long time.
The service coincided with the programme of the church tagged Supernatural Turnaround with Pastor Yinka Folorunsho ministering.
Even though an opportunity was not provided by the chairman to speak on what brought NUJ to the altar, it was understood; denominations have ways of receiving seeds for thanksgiving by individuals and corporate organisations.
Whatever happened during the service, NUJ members left Living Faith with an interesting impression: Our dependable destiny helper is ever present even in NUJ's circumstance.
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