The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

  • Journalists critical to political process – Dogara

    Journalists critical to political process – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara‎, said on Wednesday that journalists were very critical to the success of the nation’s political process.

    Dogra made the remark in Kaduna at a National Colloquium on Elections, Corruption and Road Map to 2019 Elections organised by the Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    The speaker, who was represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Alhaji Ado Doguwa, said journalists have a constitutional mandate to ensure that those in authority remain accountable to the people.

    “The media should be the number one arm of government as democracy is an all inclusive method which carries everyone along.

    “He who controls the minds of the people controls the minds of the society, this is true as the Nigerian Journalists contribute 75 percent to the success of elections,” Dogara said.

    The speaker, however, urged media practitioners to desist from writing fake reports as it only ends up creating problems within the society.

    The National President of the NUJ, Mr. Waheed Odusile, called on political parties to put their heads together so as to move the country forward.

    “We call on all political parties to put their heads together. For a journey, there must be a vehicle and without it there will be no movement” he said.

    Odusie said the Nigerian Constitution has specifically mandated the media to ensure it carried out its mandate by monitoring governance.

    He stressed the need for the media to operate freely and urged members to be mindful of what they write so as to avoid overheating the polity.

    In his welcome address, the Chairman of Kaduna state NUJ, Adamu Yusuf also called on media practitioners to always say the truth and be objective in their reports.

    Yusuf said the journalist is the overseer of the truth and justice.

    “We are expected to adhere strictly to the principle of equity, brotherhood, national interest, global peace and objective reportage even against our erring members.”

  • Imo CP commiserates with FRCN over death of staff

    Imo CP commiserates with FRCN over death of staff

    The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr. Chris Ezike, has commiserated with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) over the death of its staff, Mr. Eddy Anyanwu.

    Ezike confirmed the news of the death of Anyanwu to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Wednesday.

    He said that Anyanwu’s death was a big blow to both FRCN, his family and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the late Anyanwu slumped at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre on Monday.

    He was covering a meeting between Valentine Ntomchukwu, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of South-East zone, and eminent personalities in the state.

    Anyanwu was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, with the assistance of the police but was confirmed dead in the early hours of Wednesday.

    The late Anynawu, who hailed from Ezinihite in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo, was until his death, a presenter at the FRCN office.

    The Commissioner of Police described him as a committed and hardworking journalist who took his duties very seriously.

    “The news of Anyanwu’s death came to me as a big shock.

    “I want to condole with FRCN and his entire family and pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the great loss,” he said.

  • Maku condemns demolition of Breeze FM Radio Station in Lafia

    Maku condemns demolition of Breeze FM Radio Station in Lafia

    Labaran Maku National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance has condemned the demolition of Breeze 99.9 FM Radio Station, Lafia by the Nasarawa State Government.

    Maku, a former Information Minister, who condemned the action while speaki ng with newsmen in Lafia on Monday, said the demolition was an attack on the media.

    He said that in a democracy where the press had the freedom to operate freely backed up by the law nobody should try to suppress the media.

    Maku said that the demolition of a private station by the government was an affront to the Freedom of Information Act in the country.

    He said that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) needed to protest against the impunity and protect its members to prevent more of such actions against the media.

    Maku described that the destruction of the first private radio station ever established in the state capital as “unfortunate’’.

    He noted that it was the state governor himself who  commissioned the station in March.

    “So why will the same government demolish the same station it commissioned after two months,” Maku said.

    He said that the excuse that the station was operating in a private residence should have been resolved amicably.

    In his reaction, the Proprietor of Breeze FM, Nawani Aboki said the action of the government was highly questionable as the reason given for carrying out the demolition was absurd.

    Aboki threatened to take legal action against the government, adding that the station would come out stronger and vibrant.

    Mr Adamu Sule, the Managing Director of Nasarawa State Urban Development Board also reacting, said that the radio station was among other buildings demolished for not complying with approved land laws.

    The state government officials demolished Breeze 99.9 FM. on May 20.

  • Stop promoting corrupt politicians, party urges journalists

    Stop promoting corrupt politicians, party urges journalists

    A chieftain of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, has called on journalists to desist from promoting corrupt politicians.

    Okonkwo said on Thursday during the inauguration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel new secretariat in Enugu.

    In a speech entitled: “The Power of the Media Journalism, is Not for Public Relations,” Okonkwo said that journalists must differentiate between journalism and public relations.

    “Obviously, the problem the press (journalists) is having with the society and the politicians stem from when the journalist abandons his job description and assumes that of a public relations practitioner,’’ he said.

    According to him, a journalist is responsible for gathering and selecting information in order to educate the public.

    “This news is not meant to sway the public opinion to a certain direction.

    “Because of this, journalists write for a mass audience and publish their work through only one medium depending on where they work,’’ he said.

    The UPP chieftain said that the job of journalists had now been expanded to fight corruption in the political parties, adding that the parties are the foundation of corruption in Nigeria’s leadership.

    “I enjoin the journalist to take a look at our electoral laws and the Nigerian Constitution to challenge our party managers for them to shun corruption and pursue excellence.

    “I charge the press (journalists) to educate the citizens to defend democracy and reject corrupt tendencies,’’ he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel Enugu, Mr Petrus Obi, commended the support of the state government towards the operations of the journalists in the state.

    Obi said that his executive had achieved its campaign promises of renting an office, buying a bus and uplifting the welfare of members of the chapel in general.

    The chapel honoured Prince Lawrence Eze, an industrialist from Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area for his philanthropic gestures and community development efforts.

    Responding after receiving the “Award of Excellence for Community Service’’, Eze urged journalists to continue to hold leaders accountable for the growth, development, and welfare of the people.

    “As the chairman of the chapel had kept his election promises; so likewise each politician must strive to keep their promises and bond with the people,’’ he said.

  • #WPFD2017: Media must operate without fear or favour – Lawmaker

    #WPFD2017: Media must operate without fear or favour – Lawmaker

    A lawmaker in Lagos State, Mr Tunde Braimoh, on Wednesday reiterated that journalists must be allowed to operate without fear or favour, as they had a role of keeping the government on its toes.

    Braimoh, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy, and Security spoke in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on the celebration of the 2017 World Press Freedom Day.

    He said that journalists had a vital role to play in a democracy and had to given the right environment to perform their duties in the society.

    “The press plays that role of putting the government in power on its toes. Press freedom is an integral part of democracy. The press must be allowed to operate without any fear or favour.

    “To be able to do anything, safety and security comes first; it is only when you are secured that you can deliver on your mandate. There must be effective security for the press and legal protection for them when doing their work,” Braimoh said.

    He advised the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to organise a life assurance scheme for its members, which should be backed up and guaranteed by the government in the event of eventuality.

    “The journalists are doing a great job and must be protected from victimisation, oppression or reprisal when they step on toes.

    “The people that are mighty should not be allowed to silence the press or manipulate them,” the lawmaker said.

    Braimoh, an All Progressives Congress member who represents Kosofe II in the Lagos House of Assembly, congratulated journalists on the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.

    He said that the media, the fourth estate of the realm, must continue to serve as the conscience of democracy and the voice of the common man.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that May 3 is set aside globally to celebrate the World Press Freedom.

  • Imo industrial park to gulp $2bn – Okorocha

    Imo industrial park to gulp $2bn – Okorocha

    Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday said that the construction of Imo Industrial Park located at Asa community in Ohaji/Egbema Area of the state would cost N 2 billion dollars.

    Okorocha, who made the disclosure when he visited the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Owerri, said the park would stimulate economic activities in Imo, when fully developed.

    “The Imo Industrial Park, which will include a gas plant at Asa in Ohaji, is the brain child of my government.

    “It will be constructed under public/private partnership agreement and a foreign firm will fund the project with over $2 billion.

    “Though the project may not be completed before 2019, but my appeal is that whosoever that will succeed me should support the project and see to its completion because the project will stimulate economic activities in Imo,” he said.

    The governor, who listed various developmental projects he embarked on since assumption of office, said that his vision  was to turn the state to one of the best for business in the world.

    “When I assumed office as governor in 2011, most governors who visited Owerri usually did not like to pass a night in Owerri because the hospitality industry and the environment was still not up to acceptable international standard.

    “Today, we receive hundreds of letters from groups requesting government’s approval for them to hold their programmes in Owerri,” he said.

    According to him, the state can now boost of a lot of world class hospitality firms.

    “Government is planning to organise three months training for the hospitality workers on ways to enhance their service delivery,” the governor stated.

    On agricultural programme, Okorocha said that mega farms would be established in each of the 27 local government areas, while each commissioner, schools, churches, and professional bodies would be encouraged to set up farms.

    He also said he would expand the executive council members to enable him realise the concluding programmes and projects already listed by his administration.

    He said that after the urban renewal projects, from September 2017, he would commence the construction of 540km of rural roads spread across the 27 local government areas of the state.

    Okorocha appealed to illustrious sons and daughters of Imo to invest at home, saying, “bringing your investments home is a better way to develop Imo and address the problem of unemployment and insecurity”.

     

  • NUJ organises training for Hajj information managers

    The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Monday said it had concluded plans to hold a retreat developing a robust information system and proper media management of the Hajj.

    A statement signed by the Chairman of the council, Adamu Yusuf said that the retreat, coming up in May, is being organised in partnership with Independent Hajj Reporters.

    The statement, issued on Monday in Kaduna, said that the aim was to develop the capacity of hajj information managers on ethics in hajj reporting.

    It added that the forum would highlight the imperative of having a central information disseminations mechanism during hajj operations.

    “Timely dissemination of information has become imperative in the management of flow of information during hajj operations, as such there is need for hajj information stakeholders and service providers to separate the concept of `needs to know and the right to know’.”

    According to the statement, the event is expected to address the challenges in hajj reporting, and provide impetus for effective information management.

    It said that having accurate impact analysis, efficient data management, objective and accurate media reportage would add value to the pilgrims and the nation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat would target public relations managers of states pilgrims agencies, image makers of service providers, reporters, NGOs and the national hajj commission.

  • I will flush out quacks – Bauchi NUJ chairman

    Newly elected chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists( NUJ), Bauchi State Council, Ibrahim Malama -Goje said on Wednesday that he would accord priority to cleansing the profession of ‘quacks’ in the state.

    Speaking when he visited staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Bauchi Zonal Office, Malam-Goje, a staff of the state-owned Bauchi Radio Corporation, noted that the unwholesome activities of people claiming to be journalists, was worrisome and needed to be checked.

    According to him, the reputation of practitioners is vital to achieving the noble cause the profession of journalism stands for.

    He also promised to initiate training programmes to broaden the knowledge and skills of members to enable them meet up with the challenges of their job.

    Responding on behalf of staff of NAN, Bauchi Zonal Office, the Zonal Manager, Malam  Abdullahi Salihu, urged the newly elected executive of the council, to accord priority to compliance with ethics by all practitioners.

    He said staff of the agency would contribute their quota towards ensuring the progress of profession in the state.

    NAN recalls that the Malam-Goje led Executive Committee of the union was elected on Feb.25, 2015.

     

  • NUJ Lagos Council organises tribute night for three late journalists

    NUJ Lagos Council organises tribute night for three late journalists

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Council on Friday organised a Candle Light Procession and Tribute Night for three late journalists: Dr Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, Mr Kayode Atofolaki and Mr Segun Agbolade.

    The Chairman of the Council, Mr Deji Elumoye, said it was regrettable that the council lost three colleagues.

    He expressed the need for members to key into the comprehensive insurance scheme.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

    “It’s a great loss to the practice of journalism and the country as a whole would miss their contributions especially on the floor of the house and during programme and activities of the state council,’’ Elumoye said.

    He said that with less than N10,000, a journalist could pay the Insurance premium for a year.

    “As we speak, Lagos Council has insured 300 practising journalists. What we are doing for every chapel is to pick three or four people.

    “Individuals can also do on their own,’’ the chairman said.

    “We believe the good God will comfort the families they left behind.

    “We have cancelled the monthly meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) due to the incidents,’ he said.

    Elumoye said the union would continue to support the widows and the children of the deceased, especially their education.

    He said already the families of Atofolaki and Agbolade had received N100, 000 cheque each.

    A former Chairman of the state council, Alhaji Wahab Oba, urged members to buy into the idea of the insurance scheme because of the nature of the job.

    Oba donated a sum of money for the families of the deceased and the insurance scheme of the NUJ.

    A former Chairman of the council, Mr Dele Odebiyi, described Adinoyi-Ojo as a humble fellow and a brilliant journalist, he worked with in Daily Times.

    Odebiyi said Atofolaki once came up with an idea to write a book on him.

    He described the deceased as a brilliant journalist.

    A former Chairman of the council, Mr Lanre Arogundade, described the deceased as seasoned journalists who performed excellently well during their life time.

    A former President of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr Adeleye Ajayi, described Adinoyi-Ojo as a prolific writer.

    Ajayi, also a former National Financial Secretary of the NUJ, said Atofolaki was a comrade, a unionist and an “encyclopedia of journalism’’.

    He said Agbolade was a humour merchant, who combined journalism with music and entertainment.

    NAN reports that Adinoyi-Ojo was a former Managing Director of Daily Times, while Atofolaki and Agbolade were Maritime journalists.

     

  • NUJ moves against fake journalists in Lagos

    NUJ moves against fake journalists in Lagos

    In order to safeguard the integrity of the Journalism profession, the Lagos council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it has started a clampdown on fake journalists.

    Mr Deji Elumoye, Chairman of the council, told the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the union had set up a committee to tackle the problem.

    He said that fake journalists, who usually extort the public, were denting the good image of the profession.

    “We are doing our best to ensure that quackery is erased from journalism profession.

    “In Lagos, we observe that there are a lot of fake journalists and they are always found in public places like hotels and event centres.

    “We also discover that they harass and molest top government functionaries and other members of the society.

    “We have had a lot of reports from members of the public, so we began our investigations and set up a seven-man committee to monitor and look at the issue of quackery in the metropolis.

    “The committee has since swung into action, and in 2016, they were able to make some arrests, “he said.

    Elumoye said that two of the fake journalists, who usually go about with fake identification cards, were arrested at the Lagos Airport Hotel and the Sheraton Hotel, both in Ikeja.

    “These cases were reported to the NUJ leadership and we handed over the suspects to the Police,” he said.

    Elumoye, however, said that the Police released the suspects on bail without charging them to court.

    He said that the council was evolving a new strategy to tackle the menace in 2017 and the NUJ was going to seek the support the police at the highest level.

    “This is 2017. We want to engage the leadership of the state police command in Lagos to let them know our reservations of the past, maybe it was not to the knowledge of the Commissioner of Police.

    “Now, we want them to know that any arrests made again, we would take the suspects straight to the police command and ensure they are prosecuted,” he said.

    Elumoye said that the union was waiting for the police authority to finish its ongoing restructuring involving transfers before embarking on its 2017 vision to sanitise the profession.

    He said it was fraudulent for journalists who had been sacked from their organisations to go on parading themselves as journalists.

    According to him, such act amounts to impersonation, which is a criminal offence.