The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NUJ President

  • NUJ President Odusile hopeful of re-election

    •Six jostle to unseat him

    THE incumbent  Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National President, Waheed Odusile, is hopeful that his achievements will ensure that he is re-elected between today and tomorrow  to serve another term of three years.

    Odusile, who hails from Ogun East, expressed optimism that he would in future emerge the third journalist to govern the state.

    The first journalist to preside over the affairs of the Gateway State was Chief  Olabisi Onabanjo (1979 – 1983) from Ijebu – Ode and followed by former Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria Aremo Olusegun Osoba, an Egba son.

    Odusile  is seeking a second term and  will  square it up with six other candidates at the union’s 6th Triennial Delegates Conference slated for Abeokuta, the Ogun capital.

    The six other contestants include: Atunbi Bamidele (Federal Capital Territory (FCT Council), Abiodun Olalere (Osun Council), Chris Iziguzo (Enugu Council), Mike Aladenike (Edo Council), Uzaka Uzaka (Bayelsa Council) and Jacob Edi (FCT Council).

    Odusile, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, said his achievements in office in the last three years were manifest demonstration of his competence to further lead the union to a greater height, if re-elected.

    He cited  the biometric data capture of members, which his administration introduced and  the proposed NUJ Television Station that would soon begin  operations as part of his achievements in office.

    “I strongly believe that my chances of winning the election are brighter than all the other contestants because they don’t have the pedigree.

    “With due respect to all of them, they have never done it before. I have been the one there and we have done some certain things, which others have not done before in the history of our union, which our members have applauded.

    “We have been able to introduce the first bio-metric registration and Identity Cards (ID)  to our members. Our International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) that has been operating from rented apartment for years, we have been able to move it to a permanent site and in the process, save the union from the financial burden of N10 million annual rent.

    “This is the first leadership in the history of NUJ that will call out journalists on a successful protest against highhandedness of the media and journalists. We succeeded in getting our members, who were illegally arrested and detained by security agencies, which included the police and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) released. One of them was even awarded damages by the court for illegal detention.

    “These are things, which our co-contestants with due respect to them, have not done. They cannot do it because they don’t have the pedigree. I have listened to some of them and the nearest thing they said was ‘we will improve’. That means they have also acknowledged that we are doing something.

    “So, we believe that with God being on our side, all things being equal, we should triumph over others at the poll.”

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun,  Minister of Information Lai Muhammed and Osoba are among  eminent Nigerians expected at the conference.

    Mohammed is the industry host and Amosun will be the host governor.

    The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo will serve as the royal father.

     

     

  • ALGON boss hails NUJ president

    The President of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) Mr. Waheed Odusile, the Managing Editor of the Nation Newspapers.

    Jiba who is also the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), expressed optimism that the emergency of Odusile would mark a new beginning for Nigerian journalists who are struggling in the profession to make ends meet.

    According to the ALGON boss, who made this known in a press statement, there are so many things that needs to be corrected in the media sector by the new administration of Odusile, mostly in the aspect of total neglect of Nigerian journalists who give voices to the voiceless.

    “We believe that with the credible credentials of Odusile and his long experience and antecedents in the practice of journalism, which is regarded as a very respected and noble profession, Nigerian journalists will have reasons to smile out of their hard times.

    “We want to assure the President of NUJ that ALGON is fully ready to work with the newly elected leadership of the NUJ, as we have always seen ourselves as partners in progress. We will continue to work together for the benefit of the common Nigerians at the grassroots, in order for them to get the change they desire.

    “I also want to appeal to the newly elected President of NUJ to always put the interest of Nigerian journalsits at heart, by ensuring that their salaries are paid regularly as at when due, because most of them at suffering to survive because of none payment of their salaries.

    “I believe that if the issue of welfare and salaries of Nigerian journalists are corrected by this new NUJ administration, then Nigerians will get the best from the media and the journalists will no longer sell their conscience for money,” he said.

  • Oshiomhole hails NUJ President Odusile

    Oshiomhole hails NUJ President Odusile

    •‘Fight for journalists’ welfare’

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the victory of Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile as the president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is a reflection of the commitment of members to move the union to a higher level.

    In a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the governor said: “Waheed Odusile’s victory at the keenly contested election reflects the wishes of members to effect the desired change in the affairs of the union.

    “I have implicit confidence that with you as president of the NUJ, the union will no doubt get a true and selfless leadership needed to key into the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari and bring unparalleled growth to members of your great union.

    “Your pedigree as a reputed journalist in many media houses and a unionist with experience spanning over two decades have prepared you for the onerous task of leading the NUJ to a higher level.

    “Even as we celebrate your victory, I give kudos to the other candidates for a gallant fight, and for the peaceful conduct of the delegates’ conference. There is no doubt that other unions can learn from the peaceful and transparent manner with which the NUJ election was conducted.

    “I urge the other candidates to join hands with the new NUJ President to reposition the union as the conscience of the nation.”

    Also, a former governorship candidate in Cross River State, Mr Patrick Okomiso, has urged  Odusile to fight for better working conditions for journalists.

    Okomiso told our reporter in Calabar, the state capital, that Odusile needs to take journalism practice to a higher level.

    The politician noted that without modern journalism, democracy cannot be sustained.

    He said: “Given his antecedents, I believe his election victory as president is a plus for Nigerian journalism. He should improve the quality of journalism in the country.

    “I urge him to fight for the welfare of journalists. He must ensure that they are remunerated in a manner equal to what they go through. He should also work for insurance of journalists.”

  • Odusile is new NUJ president

    Odusile is new NUJ president

    • Tinubu, Aregbesola, others congratulate The Nation’s Managing Editor

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has elected Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile of the Nation Newspapers as its new national president.

    He succeeds Malam Garba Mohammed.

    Odusile was declared winner of the keenly contested election by the returning officer and Director, African Affairs, International Federation of Journalists, Mr. Gabriel Baglow.

    He polled 354 votes at the National Delegates Conference of NUJ in Abuja to defeat his closest opponent, Mr. Rotimi Obamuwagun who got 333 votes.

    Other contestants for the position of the President included Mr. Dele Atunibi, who got 51 votes; USA Uzaka who received 46 votes and Alhaji Mustafa Lamidi who got 12 votes.

    Mr. Mohammad Shu clinched the position of the financial secretary after he secured 454 votes to defeat his contender Mr. Ajayi Olugbenga.

    The post of the National Treasurer went to Mrs. Monica Okechukwu, who got 310 votes to defeat Mr. Garba Iliya and Mr.

    Ambrose Nwachukwu.

    The positions of Deputy National President, National Internal Auditor and the Vice-President, North Central were filled unopposed.

    Mr. Chris Isiguzo was declared winner of the South East Vice-President after he defeated Mr. Goddy Okafor while Aisha Ibrahim clinched the position of Vice-President North East.

    Other officials elected were Opaka Dokubo, Zonal Secretary South South; Mr. Kenneth Ofoma Zonal Secretary, South East while Suleiman Ibrahim emerged Secretary, North East.

    Similarly, Mr. Hakeem Olatidoye emerged Secretary, North Central and Mr. Lawal Afolabi won the post of the Secretary, South West Zone.

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC),

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, congratulated Odusile on his election.

    The former governor of Lagos state lauded Odusile and charged him to elevate the standard of journalism in the country.

    “Congratulations to Mr. Odusile for emerging the new NUJ President. Your victory is a validation of your professional stewardship,” Tinubu wrote on his Twitter account.

    He added: “It is also an opportunity for you to elevate the standard of journalism and promote ethical conduct. It is tough assignment.”

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola charged Odusile to set a standard that will give journalists a sense of dignity.

    According to a congratulatory message to Odusile by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola admonished Odusile to ensure professional conduct among journalists.

    He said with the new NUJ leadership, professionalism must be the hallmark of every member as Nigeria enters in to the era of change.

    On his part, Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) said Odusile’s victory had many similarities with the election of President Muhammadu Buhari because it was premised on the need to change the media profession for good.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Odunaro, Yayi, as he is popularly called, said: “I am sure that Odusile’s promise to rid the profession of fake journalists and quackery during his electioneering campaign is the way to go for all lovers of the development of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.”

    Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Musbau Rasak, said: “Congratulation, my brother for your success at the polls and I am particularly pleased that your election came through a peaceful democratic process.

    “I am really happy, not only for you, but also for the entire body of journalists in Nigeria.”

  • Ogun Council adopts Odusile for NUJ President

    Ogun Council adopts Odusile for NUJ President

    Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union  of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday adopted Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile as its candidate for the forthcoming NUJ national Presidential election.

    Odusile, who hails from Ogun State, the cradle of the nation’s journalism, and practice in Lagos, was adopted a unanimous candidate of  the state Council during its monthly congress yesterday in a voice vote.

    The adoption followed a motion moved to that effect by Mr Johnson Onifade of First Weekly Magaxine and was seconded by Mrs Sobukola Modupe of the Radio Nigeria (Paramount FM) Abeokuta.

    And to demonstrate the high premium placed on Odusile’s candicacy, the state Council Chairman, Comrade Wole Shokunbi, boosted his campaign, by appointing Mr Kehinde Akinyemi of the Daily Trust newspapers to join Odusile Campaign Organisation.

    Odusile who was overwhelmed by the quantum of support and goodwill garnered in his home state, said the endorsement has emboldened him the more to know that nothing can stop him from winning the race.

    Fielding questions from members of the state Council after formally addressing them regarding his participation in the election and programmes if elected, said he would  address quakery in the journalism profession, salary challenges through pushing for promulgation of enabling laws to protect journalists.