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Tag: NUJ

  • NUJ calls for release of kidnapped columnist

    NUJ calls for release of kidnapped columnist

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State council, has called for the immediate and unconditional release unhurt of the kidnapped Vanguard columnist, Dornu Kogbara.

    Rivers NUJ, Friday in Port Harcourt, through its Chairman, Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, also condemned the abduction of Kogbara, an Ogoni.

    The kidnappers, who wore police uniform, seized the renowned columnist on Sunday morning, when they stormed her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence in a CRV car, amid gunshots. The gunmen quickly disappeared with Kogbara, whose whereabouts remained unknown and no demand for ransom had been made by the criminals, as at press time.

    The Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the kidnap, noted that the police were on the trail of the gunmen, while assuring that the victim would soon be rescued unhurt.

    NUJ in Rivers said: “Why should an innocent journalist/columnist, who is contributing to societal development become the target of kidnappers? Journalists are positively impacting the society and should be spared the trauma of being kidnapped.

    “It is really sad that the renowned columnist, who is using her pen to bring about development, will now be in the den of kidnappers for many days, considering the usually-unpleasant experiences.

    “Where do the kidnappers want the columnist or her aged mother to get money for ransom? Journalists in Rivers State are insisting that Kogbara must be released now, without attaching any condition and she must not be hurt.”

    The Rivers NUJ, with the backing of the national secretariat of the union, also called on the security agencies to quickly ensure the release of the columnist and to apprehend/prosecute the kidnappers, in order to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.

  • Editors to media owners: Don’t owe your workers

    Editors to media owners: Don’t owe your workers

    The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged some media owners to stop owing workers salaries.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of its conference in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State capital, the editors said journalists’ working conditions should be improved.

    “Media owners must ensure regular payment of salaries as well as provide improved working conditions commensurate with the efforts of media practitioners,” NGE said.

    The communiqué was signed by NGE’s president Garba Deen Mohammad and General Secretary Victoria Ibanga.

    About 300 Editors drawn from the print, electronic and online media across the country attended the conference which held from August 26 to 30 and featured presentation of papers from scholars and giants in the media industry.

    They include Professor Etannibi Alemika of the Department of Sociology, University of Jos; Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Abuja, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma; and Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers Mr. Gbenga Adefaye.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) was the Special Guest of Honour. He was represented by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information Dr. (Mrs) Folashade Yemi-Esan.  Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson was the Chief Host

    The editors urged the media to remain steadfast in their reportage of events as well as be facilitators and agents of the positive change that Nigerians desire.

    NGE said Nigerians must unite to build a nation that is prosperous and secure, irrespective of political, ethnic and religious differences.

    It said steps taken so far by the President Buhari-led government to tackle terrorism are commendable. It urged Nigerians not to politicise or ethnicise the war against the scourge, stressing that much more must be done by all stakeholders to ensure that every part of country is secure.

    On graft, NGE said: “The present administration’s war against corruption is commendable but that every effort must be made to ensure that it is not selective. Every Nigerian must support the battle to eradicate the monster which has adversely affected the country.”

    The communiqué added:  “Media practitioners must play their agenda setting role and make conscious effort to raise the level and quality of public debate by bringing issues of national interest to the fore.

    “Editors must strive continually to improve their skills and acquire new skills that would prepare them for life outside the Editorial chair. Editors must do more to bring about the change Nigerians are yearning for by playing the watchdog role assigned them by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.

    “Nigerians must unite and support efforts of the government of President Buhari to revive the nation’s economy. There must be a conscious effort to re-orient Nigerians to embrace values that would bring about the desired change.

    “That the Governors’ Forum make more efforts to build synergy among themselves and function as a Peer Review Mechanism, for sharing experiences and learning from each other policies and programmes that would make their states better.”

    The editors praised President Buhari for appointing two past NGE presidents Mr. Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu as his Special Adviser and Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity.

  • NUJ hails appointment of Jigawa Radio MD

    President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Waheed Odusile, has described the appointment of Malam Mati Ali, a former national officer of the union, by Governor Muhammadu Abubakar of Jigawa State, as the Managing Director of the Radio Corporation as an honour to journalism.

    In an appreciation letter to Abubakar signed by the NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, Odusile said the appointment amounts to putting a square peg in a square hole.

    He said the governor has made the union proud with the appointment, assuring that Ali will deliver quality services based on his years of experience.

    “Sir, we are confident that with this appointment of a seasoned professional, there will be improvement in the services to the people of Jigawa and beyond the corporation,” Odusile said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • NUJ urges FG to enhance media salary in Nigeria

    NUJ urges FG to enhance media salary in Nigeria

    The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Friday urged the Federal Government to enhance media salary because “journalism deserves better care like other professions”.

    The union’s National President, Mr Waheed Odusile, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that improving on media wellbeing would go a long way in enhancing performance.

    Odusile decried the way graduates working in the government owned media were being treated, describing the media as strong body in nation building.

    “What we want from the government is a kind of enhancing the salary of journalists; let it start first with our members and colleagues in government media because the bulk of members are government employees.

    “We do not like the way our members are being treated like other civil servants in the country; you and I know that journalist works round the clock; let the salary and other benefits go in line with the nature of the job we do.

    “Let the benefits reflect the work we are doing; if other professions are recognised, journalism should also be recognised in this country.

    “Well, once we achieve better pay for journalist in the government media, we will move on to negotiate with the private media owners because we are doing a lot for national development.

    “In this process, we are not going to relent on negotiating with the government to achieve our goals.

    “On the issue of fake journalists, I think, we need law that can wipe them out; we want every fake journalist arrested to be punished according to the law.

    “There should also be a law protecting journalism in this country; journalism as profession should be reorganised and protected,” he said.

    NAN recalls that the 11th All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) is on-going in Yenagoa.

  • NUJ to check fake journalists

    NUJ to check fake journalists

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi State Council, has set up a disciplinary committee to monitor and fish out quacks.

    A communiqué at the end of its meeting yesterday by the Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Jajirma, said the new leadership would rid the state of fake journalists.

    He said a synergy would be struck with information officers, government agencies and parastatals to address quacks in journalism and unprofessional conduct.

    Jajirma urged journalists to play their role of agenda setting by committing themselves to the development of journalism.

     

  • Ambode asks NUJ to change face of journalism

    Ambode asks NUJ to change face of journalism

    •Governor receives new President, Odusile

    The newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Waheed Odusile, has been charged to reposition journalism for the purpose of building a virile and strong nation.

    This, he can do, by utilis ing the strength of the social media.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made the call at the weekend when Odusile led a delegation of the union on a courtesy visit to him at Alausa, Ikeja.

    “In this modern day of social media, we need to start to look at what social media means to our journalists and national development,” the governor said.

    He also advised the NUJ leadership to work assiduously to improve on the standard of the profession in Nigeria.

    His words: “We should be able to look at that area and see how we can improve on the curriculum of the Institute of Journalism and other communication schools where we can start integrating the good side of social media with journalism and development in the best interest of the nation.”

    He said no political leadership can thrive without the support of journalists as its role in the polity could not be over emphasized.

    He congratulated the Lagos State council of the union for producing the NUJ president for the first time in 21 years.

    Odusile said the union would partner with the government in the effort to rebuild Nigeria.

    He appealed for the governor’s assistance in weeding out quacks from the profession. According to him, “We need laws to flush out quackery from our profession; we need your support to make a law to make quackery a thing of the past in our profession. We want to focus on professionalism.”

  • Change the face of journalism, Ambode urges NUJ

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has charged the newly elected ​President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mr. Waheed Odusile and the executives of Lagos State Council,to work assiduously to improve on the standard of the profession in Nigeria.

    The Governor while receiving the officials last Friday, congratulated Odusile on his success at the keenly contested election and said it was time to ​justify the confidence of those who voted for him by improving the lot of members of the union.

    He emphasized the need for them to utilize the strength of the social media as a platform for repositioning journalism for dynamism and a tool to build a virile and strong nation.
    He said, “In this modern day of social media, we need to start to look at what social media means to our journalists and national development”.

    “We should be able to look at that area and see how we can improve on the curriculum of the Institute of Journalism and other communication schools where we can start integrating the good side of social media with journalism and development in the best interest of the nation”.

    He said no political leadership can thrive without the support of journalists as its role in the polity could not be over emphasized.

    ” I congratulate Lagos state for producing the president of the NUJ after a long silence in the last 21 years. I am committed to supporting the NUJ, I also want to let you know that what we have in our hands now is to come together and build a viral nation” he said.

    Governor Ambode who said he was not against constructive criticism, sought the co-operation of journalists in the task of a safer and more prosperous Lagos, charging the NUJ President to ensure that he uses his good office to transform the landscape of journalism in Nigeria.

    “I believe strongly that NUJ and journalists have that platform to assist me, so I will and I do welcome constructive criticism, because they will spur me on to be at alert to do those things that I cannot see 360 degrees. I expect that in this relationship, we would do everything to make Lagos become a safer place, a more prosperous place and a cleaner place, the mantra that we’ve always preached about change should also guide our journey” he said​.​

    Earlier, the President of NUJ, Waheed Odusile, said the team was on the visit to pay homage to the Governor since his victory at the election two weeks ago.

    He said the Union was ready to partner and support his government, adding that the change mantra the All Progressives Congress (APC) preaches, is one they have resolved to​ identify with.

    He appealed to the governor to help weed out quacks and fake journalists out of ​the profession, adding that the association ​will need the support of government​ especially lawmakers in form of legislation.​

    ”We need law to flush out quackery from our profession, we need your support to make a law to make quackery a thing of the past in our profession. We want to focus on professionalism”, Odusile said.

  • TUC urges Odusile to fight for NUJ members’ welfare

    TUC urges Odusile to fight for NUJ members’ welfare

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has congratulated the new National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Waheed Odusile, urging him to use his position to fight and improve the welfare of journalists.

    In a congratulatory letter signed by the Secretary General of the union, Comrade  Musa Lawal, the TUC said: “On behalf of the President, the National Administrative Council (NAC) and entire members of the Congress, we hereby heartily congratulate you on your recent election as National President of the NUJ. We also felicitate with your union on the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections.”

    Lawal said an overview of Odusile’s election manifesto leaves TUC persuaded of his ability to take the practice of journalism to greater levels in Nigeria.  “We trust that you would ensure the entrenchment of professionalism and high ethical standards in the practice of journalism in the country, bearing in mind the fact that mismanagement of information does no society any good,” he said.

    The union implored Odusile to work assiduously to improve the welfare of the NUJ members. “Taking into cognisance the risks involved on the job, a good insurance programme that guarantees the future of journalists would be a welcome initiative.

    “We also urge you to make the issue of training and re-training of journalists a priority during your tenure to ensure that journalists in the country stand tall among their counterparts in other parts of the world and sustain the respect the profession commands globally,” Lasal advised.

    He said the congress is particularly disturbed that several journalists, who are also heads of families, are owed as much as 10 months salaries at a time when their counterparts in other countries are being well taken care of. This is very improper, and we hope your administration will rise up to the challenge,” the union said.

  • Saraki urges Odusile to clean up Nigerian media

    Saraki urges Odusile to clean up Nigerian media

    [dropcap]B[/dropcap]ukola Saraki, President of the Nigerian Senates has congratulated Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile of The Nation Newspapers on his election as the new President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

     

    In his congratulatory message, Saraki urged Odusile to ensure that the profession is rid of quack journalists who often bring disgrace and bad name to the Nigerian media.

     

    From Saraki’s twitter handle:

     

  • The Nation’s Odusile emerges NUJ president

    The Managing Editor of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile, has been elected the new president of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ). He succeeds Malam Garba Mohammed.

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

    Baglow said at the NUJ National Delegates Conference held in Abuja, Saturday, that Odusile pulled 354 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Mr. Rotimi Obamuwagun, who scored 333 votes.

    Other contestants for the position of the NUJ president are – Mr. Dele Atunibi (51 votes), USA Uzaka (46 votes) and Alhaji Mustafa Lamidi (12 votes).

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

    The post of the National Treasurer went to Mrs. Monica Okechukwu who polled 310 votes to defeat two other contestants, namely, Mr. Garba Iliya and Mr. Ambrose Nwachukwu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the positions of Deputy National President, National Internal Auditor and the Vice-President, North Central were filled unopposed.