A PROMISE TO BE KEPT

We came into office on November 26, 2020 amidst a very turbulent election and to the glory of God, we emerged victorious.

As we were being sworn in, I noted that we had put the election behind us and that it was going to be an all inclusive administration of collective responsibility.

We cannot do it alone. Together we would lift NUJ to greater height.

We are optimistic that half way into our tenure, we would have accomplished all the promises made.  

SEE THE PROMISE BELOW: 

A- ACCOUNTABILITY & AUDIT

Accountability is paramount in all spheres of life. We must be prudent in whatever we do. There will be zero tolerance for corruption

P- PENDING PROJECTS, PARTNERSHIP & PROFESSIONALISM

PENDING LAND PROJECT

We intend to amicably once and for all solve the problems of Abaren, Mowe-Ofada land. It is painful that a lot of our members’ monies are trapped in the Pen Jewel project. Different approaches will be adopted to address the problem. 

PARTNERSHIP (HOUSING LOANS ETC)

The union will go into partnership with both private and public agencies including banks and finance companies on Housing, Car instalment purchase, Electronics, Loans, among others.

PROFESSIONALISM (APP FOR LAGOS NUJ)

The APP will contain Biometrics Registration, Pay & Print Check off dues remittance slip, hook up to live broadcast on NUJ Radio Station, Flight bookings, Download Lagos NUJ quarterly Statement, Members’ Directory, among others as well as seek better employment and appointments for members.

R- REVENUE GENERATION & REPOSITIONING

INVESTMENT IN AGRIC BUSINESS 

The Council will venture into Agricultural businesses like poultry, fish farming, Oil palm plantation, dairy farming, rearing of goats, sheep, piggery etc.

COURTESY VISITS 

The Executive Members will embark on Courtesy Visits in order to express our needs. Such funds will be committed into the union’s projects.

AWARDS

We will put in place Annual AWARDS ceremony for notable Nigerians. This will equally generate huge fund for the union.

SOCIALS

The Council will acquire land in a strategic location in Lagos for Car Wash/Car Park with Bar/Band at weekends.

TRANSPORT

We will also explore the possibility of the union going into Intrastate and Interstate Transport business.

MEET THE PRESS  

There will be monthly Meet the Press Forum. We shall use the Forum to build more rapport with personalities, private and government agencies and request for assistance.  

REPOSITIONING

The Image and Integrity of the union must be repositioned and kept intact.

It is going to be an all-inclusive administration based on collective responsibility. We shall adopt a Participatory approach of Committee System in running the union.

O- OBJECTIVITY & ORIENTATION 

Members will be enjoined and charged to be continuously objective in their reportage as new members will be given sound orientation about the profession at intervals.

M- MEDIA SALARY & MEMBERS WELFARE 

We will work toward an improved Media Salary structure for journalists, both in private and public practices. There should be no delay in paying salaries. Salaries of our members should be paid as and when due and better packaged.

MEMBERS’ WELFARE

The State Council Executive will visit chapels quarterly to familiarise with members, know their welfare needs, solve problem of unpaid check off dues and dialogue with media owners over unpaid salaries.

I- INSURANCE SCHEME & ICT CENTRE

INSURANCE 

Insurance scheme should be made compulsory for all journalists considering its exigency. A Health Insurance scheme should also be instituted as a specialised welfare package to journalists. Life insurance scheme will also be instituted.

ICT CENTRE

We intend to fully activate the ICT Centre at the Secretariat for the use of our members, especially those willing to file their reports from the Secretariat.

S- SECRETARIAT REMODELLING & SAFETY OF MEMBERS

SECRETARIAT REMODELLING

Efforts will be made for timely completion of the ongoing secretariat being remodelled. We will also ensure the completion of the Shomolu Guest House and regular maintenance of our “NUJ Light House’’ in Victoria Island.

SAFETY

I also intend to ensure our members are safe in view of the hazards of the profession. This is in view of the roles of a journalist as the watchdog of the society. This is why we should build solid rapport with all the security agencies.

E- ENTREPRENEURSHIP, EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT & ETHICS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Members will be trained on soap making, beads, shoes, fashion, make-up etc. The union shall also partner with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to ensure that members acquire Entrepreneurial skills.  

EDUCATION (TRAINING)

We will facilitate training at both state and chapel levels. The trainings will keep all of us abreast of modern media practices. If not, a lot of journalists will be left behind with the evolution of technologies in the media industry. Capacity development will be captured in the Council’s budget. When I was President of MARAN, we organised Seminars in ASCON Topo, Badagry (twice), Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Abeokuta and Lagos (many times). In 2010, as the President/Chairman, Education and Training Committee, the MARAN Executive took MARAN members for training in two batches to the Regional Maritime University (RMU) Tema, Ghana.

ENTERTAINMENT (PRESS WEEK)

There will be Annual FAMILY GET TOGETHER/NUJ DINNER/AWARDS NIGHT for notable journalists and distinguished Nigerians. A similar programme was held at Sheraton Hotel & Towers Lagos and Mobil Pegasus Club, Apapa, with my Executive while I was MARAN President about 11 years ago.

MEDIA GAMES

We will bring back the Annual MEDIA GAMES for our members to keep fit and to unite us strongly.

ETHICS 

We must adhere to the Code of Ethics to maintain high ethical standards while reporting. Members will continuously be enjoined to be more ethical and morally upright at all times. 

There will be no room for quacks going about parading themselves as journalists. Enough is enough.