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Tag: NUJ

  • Kwankwaso wins NUJ award

    Kwankwaso wins NUJ award

    Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has won the Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency in Governance award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    NUJ’s National President Muhammed Garba presented the award to Kwankwaso at a ceremony in Abuja.

    Garba noted that the governor had excelled in prudent fiscal administration and realistic budget implementation.

    He said Kwankwaso was singled out for the award because he stopped leakages of funds in government, strengthened public institutions and improved the lives of Kano residents, especially those in the rural areas.

    The NUJ President said the award was aimed at encouraging leaders and individuals to provide services to their people and remain accountable and transparent at all times.

  • NUJ disappointed with Abaji council leadership over projects

    The chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja chapter, Comrade Chuks Ehirim has expressed disappointment over the nonchalant attitude of the leadership of Abaji area council, Hon. Yahaya Garba, towards the NUJ projects tour of area councils, by not willing to make themselves available for the projects inspection.

    Ehirim who could not contain his disappointment over the attitude of the council and some mandate secretariats, when journalists of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Chapter, visited Kuje area council on the media assessment tour of projects execution by the FCTA, area councils and National Assembly members in the FCT, said that the action of the leadership of the council is evident to the fact that the council may be hiding the fact that there no meaningful projects in the council for them to showcase to the public.

    According to the NUJ boss, they gave Abaji two expecting dates which the leadership of the council shifted without genuine reasons, saying that the members of journalists were supposed to have visited the council as agreed, but in the morning they got a message across to the leadership of NUJ that they were not ready to receive the team of journalists again.

    “This projects tour which was given approval by the FCT Minister of State, which is the supervisory Minister of the area councils, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide. We were supposed to have started with Abaji last two weeks, but they pleaded that we should give them some days, which we did and they shifted it again. What it means is that it is possible that they do not have any project in Abaji area council to showcase.

    “Because this tour is about showing the area councils what they are doing with their resources, even the mandate secretariates are included in this attitude, some of them are not showing interest in this projects tour, when they are called upon, they will give you documents that they have done, without coming out to show you where they are sited.

    “Abaji has not given genuine reasons for shifting the dates, other than that their chairman is not around. We are not moving anywhere with the chairman, he could delegate his officials to show us what they have done, because, we are not bothered about if the chairman is available or not, because it is not a cogent reason.

    “We are not happy about it, because it defeats the aim of the tour itself. We are calling Abaji area council and some of this mandate secretariats to take this project tour seriously. If Abaji has no projects to showcase, we will go there and show that they are not doing anything and that is what we are going to do,” he said.

    Ehirim said that no matter how much the leadership of Abaji tries to frustrate the effort by the NUJ from visiting the council, they will not be deterred, that they must visit the council, to know the projects on ground, saying that they do not know the reason why they are shying away from the projects tour.

    “We went to Kwali area council and we were pleased with what we saw; the much the council chairman has done under six months. It is not an imposition, we are not forcing anybody, we are saying show us what you have done, just like the STDA has shown us what they have done in Kuje, Kwali and Gwagwalada area councils and we have helped them to publicize this projects.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the FCT authority to assist the contractors handling this road projects, because some of this roads are very vital, they are major link roads by the inhabitants of the FCT to the city.

    “Like we have heard from some of the contractors, their projects are hampered by paucity of funding. So, whatever should be done so that they get their funds as at when due, should be considered, so that they could complete the projects for the benefit of the people, we will appreciate it,” he said.

     

  • Jonathan urged to fix roads

    Jonathan urged to fix roads

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the poor state of federal roads, especially those in the Southwest.

    On July 5, President Goodluck Jonathan kicked off the reconstruction of the 127km Lagos-Ibadan road and the Lagos-Sagamu road, which would cost N167 billion.

    He said the government had terminated its agreement with Bi-Courtney for the rehabilitation of the roads, due to the company’s non-performance, and re-awarded it to another firm.

    NUJ expressed concern over recurring accidents, nightmarish traffic jams and security breaches on the roads, caused by their state of disrepair.

    Speaking with The Nation in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, after the union’s zonal meeting, NUJ Vice-President, B-Zone, Dele Atunbi, said it was disturbing that four months after the kick-off of the projects, no serious work has been done.

    Atunbi urged the President to fix the roads and similar ones across the country.

    He also urged the President to pay striking university lecturers their four months salary and peacefully resolve the industrial dispute.

    Atunbi said the resort to force or threat to sack lecturers could worsen the situation and keep students at home longer.

    At the meeting, Governor Ibikunle Amosun was conferred with the “Architect of the new face of Abeokuta Award”.

     

  • FCT vendors partner NUJ

    Newspaper vendors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are partnering the territory’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to enable its members achieve its target.

    A statement by the vendors’ Chairman, Samuel Jimoh, said a conference would be held today in Abuja to educate newspaper vendors and other stakeholders on the need to sustain capacity-building in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for individuals and corporate organisations.

    Speakers at the event include: Angelo Peter Elosia, a former presenter of a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme and publisher of Investment Expo.

    Others expected at the conference, the statement said, are: Peter Ajayi, a director at the National Productivity Centre, Abuja, who will present a paper, titled: Public Private Support As A Strategy for Reducing Unemployment; Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who is the special guest of honour.

  • NUJ, NBA defer on Anambra guber poll

    NUJ, NBA defer on Anambra guber poll

    The division over the inconclusive Anambra governorship election has spread to election observers with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) maintaining parallel positions.

    The Federal Capital Territory Council of the NUJ yesterday demanded outright cancellation of last Saturday’s governorship election.

    But the Nigerian Bar Association Election Working Group, which admitted many irregularities, recommended supplementary election in the affected areas.

    In a statement in Abuja, through its Chairman, Comrade Chuks Ehirim, the NUJ said only a fresh poll would restore the already bruised integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The council said it sent a 24-man observer team to Anambra which noted the flawed poll.

    The statement said: “As an active participant in the November 16, 2013 Anambra gubernatorial election, the NUJ FCT is in a vantage position to observe that unless decisive action is taken in respect to credible conduct of poll in Nigeria, there is little hope that our country’s democratic march will be anywhere near the ideal.

    “Given that there is a near-wholesale consensus across board that the poll was marred by compromise by INEC officials, a position equally shared by Prof. Jega, Chairman of the INEC, the NUJ calls for fresh poll in order to give each candidate and party a level playing field.

    On its part, Nigerian Bar Association Election Working Group said the election was generally peaceful, but it was marred by a lot of logistics challenges.

    A statement signed by the Chairman of the NBA EWG, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) recommended supplementary election in areas with such problems.

  • Amosun advocates stiff sanctions for fake journalists

    Amosun advocates stiff sanctions for fake journalists

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday recommended stiff sanctions for fake journalists and misconduct in the profession.

    Amosun said quacks and unethical practices by unguided persons were bringing disrepute to the noble profession. He advocated collaboration among the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Police and the State Security Service (SSS) to track down fake journalists.

    The governor spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the opening of the 2013 Press Week of the NUJ, Ogun Council, on: “Stabilising Nigeria’s democracy: The role of the media and the political class”.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Amosun said journalists have a crucial role to play to ensure national stability, good governance and promote democracy.

    He said journalists and the political class were vital stakeholders for the growth and sustenance of democracy, adding that the media has the greater responsibility of mobilising citizens for national development.

    Amosun said there was need to re-orientate journalists on constructive criticism and the need to proffer solutions to societal problems.

    Ogun NUJ Chairman Wole Shokunbi said journalists would continue to carry out their duties objectively without fear or favour, urging the government to implement the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law.

    Shokunbi said: “This year’s theme was chosen to pinpoint the topical issues that foster greater political consciousness and ensure that the nurtured democracy of our great nation is sustained. This sense of purpose and proactivity is especially crucial now in view of global political challenges, of which Nigeria is clearly not exempted.”

  • Media award holds in Abeokuta

    The 9th edition of Bright Media Merit Award (BRIMMA) also known as Sparklight Award will hold today in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by 4pm at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) headquarters.

    A statement by the organiser, Tosin Adesile, said the topic of the annual media lecture is “Radio as a potent force to supporting a true national conference.”

    The lecture will be delivered by the CEO, Rock City FM based in Abeokuta, Niran Malaolu, and a Public Relations Officer at the University of Ibadan, Mr. Deji Oladosu.

    Ten distinguished persons will also bag awards at the event.

    They include the General Manager of Ogun State Television (OGTV), Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, Ogun State Punch Correspondent, Segun Olatunji, Mrs. Toyin Makinde, Golden Grace School, Onikolobo and Secretary of Ogun State NUJ, Soji Amosu.

     

  • Shehu calls for more prayers for peace in Borno

    Shehu calls for more prayers for peace in Borno

    The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai, on Wednesday, called for more prayers for everlasting peace in Borno.

    He made the call when members of the Borno Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Maiduguri.

    He expressed joy at the gradual return of peace to the state after several months of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

    He said “we are all happy that Borno is gradually regaining its peaceful atmosphere, especially Maiduguri the state capital.

    “Although we still have pockets of attacks in rural communities, I believe that prayer is the ultimate solution to every problem.

    “People must continue to pray for everlasting peace in the state and Nigeria in general.”

    The royal father described this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia as “most successful in recent times.

    He said “we have recorded tremendous successes in this year’s Hajj because there were no delays in transportation of pilgrims as witnessed in previous exercises.

    “Nigerian pilgrims conducted themselves in very good manner throughout the Hajj, but we lost 15 pilgrims.’’

    Ibn Garbai commended the Federal Government for making adequate arrangements for medical services to Nigerian pilgrims throughout the exercise.

    He added: “I want to commend the Federal Government for providing excellent medical services to the pilgrims.”

    He also commended officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for their efforts in making the exercise hitch free.

    “No Nigerian pilgrim was arrested in Saudi Arabia for either drug trafficking or committing any unlawful act.

    “No female pilgrim was left behind because we made proper arrangements to make sure that women were accompanied by their husbands or relatives,” Ibn-Garbai said.

    “So far, more than 40,000 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported back home, only 26,000 are left in Saudi Arabia.

    “The transportation of Nigerian pilgrims back home will be concluded by Nov. 18 and all those who returned came back with their luggage.”

  • Ijaw youths protest

    Ijaw youths protest

    Protests yesterday rocked Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, after the election of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) ended in a controversy.

    Aggrieved youths stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Azikoro Road to protest what they described as imposition of candidates by the government.

    Others moved to the streets and molested commuters and residents, as armed policemen battled to control them.

    The angry youngsters alleged that the elections were manipulated and rigged to the advantage of the government candidates.

  • NUJ flays pension disparity

    The B-Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the disparity in the pension being paid to media practitioners and other retirees in the Federal Civil Service.

    The union, through its zonal Vice President, Mr Dele Atunbi, said the development was discriminatory and repugnant to equity and the principle of natural justice.

    It noted with concern on why should there be any disparity In the pension payable to media practitioners and other retirees in the same Federal Civil Service being overseen by the Federal Civil Service Commission.

    The zone described the situation as demeaning to human dignity and repulsive.

    It urged the Federal Government to correct the anomaly.

    The NUJ advised the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to set up a probe panel on the matter and punish those who have been short-changing retirees in Federal Government-owned media.

    The union urged industrial unions in the media industry to show more interest in the affairs of their retirees by defending their rights with the law.