...Tasks govts to appoint professional journalists to Mann media positions
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has resolved that all elected members of the union that get political appointments must resign from their union positions.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NUJ held at the NUJ Press Centre Benin City, Edo State last Friday.
The communique drafted by Ronke Samo, Garba Muhammad, Ezenwa Adiuku and endorsed by Shuaibu Usman Leman and Walin Shadalafiya, the National Secretary also noted that the NEC extended its gratitude to the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki for the successful hosting of the meeting in the State, and to Alhaji Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service - FIRS for facilitating the NUJ/FIRS Tax Conference also in Benin.
The NEC also dissolved the Caretaker Committee of Ogun State Council and mandates Chairmen and Secretaries of Chapels in line with the NUJ constitution to take over the running of the council.
It directed the VP Zone B to immediately inaugurate the new Caretaker leadership, as it accordingly inaugurated the Chairman of Oyo State Council, Ademola Babalola, Adeleye Ajayi, the Chairman of Lagos Council and Kayode Babatuyi, Secretary of Ekiti State Council as members of the Credentials Committee for the conduct of the Ogun Council election.
The NEC constituted a three-member committee led by the VP Zone F, Opaka Dokubo, Assistant Secretary Enugu State Council, Ifoma Amuta and the Chairman Ebonyi State Council, Tony Nwizi to look into the NAWOJ problem in Abia State to settle it.
The NEC tasked governments at all levels to appoint only professional journalists to Mann media or communication-related positions.
The body canvassed support for Traditional Institutions and urged the National Assembly to consider creating constitutional roles for Traditional Rulers, especially in the fight against insecurity.
NEC frowned at a situation where state governments make it very difficult or almost impossible for opposition political parties to have seamless campaigns in their states.
According to the communique, "NEC wants all political parties to be given equal opportunities and it stresses the need for security agents to put more effort towards checking incessant attacks during political rallies."
The NEC called on the Federal Government to take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding which has ravaged many parts of the country.
NEC urges the government to put in place ecological mechanisms to prevent future flooding and intensify the distribution of relief materials.
It advised the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on federal roads across the nation because of their very bad nature.
It also charged governments at all levels and Security Personnel to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers before and during the 2023 general elections.
NEC harped on the key role of taxation in making growth sustainable and equitable and tasks the media to rise o the challenge of informing and educating Nigerians on the importance of paying taxes.
It directed the Secretary of Kebbi State Council and by extension, the State Council to forthwith, withdraw the suspension of Blessing Micheal of the Council and inform all the relevant authorities accordingly. NEC describes the action of the Secretary as an aberration and flagrant breach of the NUJ constitution.
It reiterated the position of the Union's constitution that no council or chapel should give awards to individuals or organisations without the consent and approval of the National Secretariat.
It equally directed a stoppage to the situation where state councils unilaterally enter into agreements with individuals or organisations over union property without the approval of the National Secretariat.
