By Musa Diso
In an era in which the tradition in vogue is to manipulate the electoral process, the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) in Kano has once again showed the world how to lead by example.
In a keenly conducted election, the Kano State chapter of the society has recently elected new executive members, with associate Professor Aliyu Muhammad as chairman to pilot the affairs of the organisation in the next three years.
The election, which was witnessed and conducted under the presence of security agents, journalists and other notable members of the association, was largely free and fair and had all the offices vied for.
The momentous events held at the state History and Culture Bureau located at Gidan Dan Hausa Kano, saw a large turnout of the members of the association, a feat unprecedented in the history of the organisation since its inception many years ago.
The new chairman of the association, Prof. Muhammad defeated his main contender, Comrade Ahmed Umar with 30 votes cast to hold the chairmanship.
A major upset was recorded when Binta Abba (SRCOE) defeated the incumbent vice chairman, Binta Garba to clinch the coveted position, while the newly elected general secretary, Tasiu Ya`u (SOTK) defeated his opponent, incumbent Maikudi Umar with a very wide margin.
Other elected officers are Aminu Ayub (ABU Zaria) as assistant general secretary, Adama Ibrahim Gyan (SOTK) as treasurer, Rahma Shariff as PRO, Hauwa Umar Faragai (SOTK) as auditor, and Aminu Suleiman Dauda (FCEK) as financial secretary respectively.
In his speech, the guest speaker and former Provost of Aminu Kano Collage of Islamic And Legal Studies (AKCILS), Prof. Garba Shehu commended the asociation for their maturity, urging the winner to be magnanimous in victory and the looser to accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.
Prof. Shehu also hailed the electoral committee members for a job well done, saying that the nation is blessed with talented and gifted youth that can transform the challenges into reality that can be appreciated and grasped by the society.
Hajiya Kaltume Bulama Gana, patron of the association urged the newly elected officers to be punctual, commitment, dedicated and work hard in other to ensure the success of the association.
She said leadership is about service and sacrifice to humanity and means through which people social aspiration could be met no leader can achieved success without moral support from the organisation.
Hajiya Gana, who is also a director (Curator) National Art Gallery Kano State chapter also called on the newly elected officers to put the interest of the association first before any other consideration.
In his post election speech, the Associate Prof. Aliyu Muhammad has pledged to put in his best and reposition the association for sustainable growth and development.
He said that success in life is not defined by how long one lives but how positively impactful to humanity.
Muhammad further said the task of repositioning of the association was a joint responsibility of all members of the union therefore no leader can achieve greatness in life without support and co-operation of the society.
He urged members of the organisation to put hand together in order to actualize its desired objectives.
