I am persuaded that I have earned the epaulettes of a stakeholder in the NUJ. It is an open secret that but for my taking up appointment, I would have thrown my hat into the ring and with clarity of purpose.
To this end and with the national election some weeks, hence, any serious candidate for the Office of President must demonstrate that he has these as some of his objectives if elected.
Upholding the sanctity of the constitution:
When delegates gathered in Kano in 2023 to review the constitution after 12 years when the last constitutional review held in Benin City, Edo state, it was against the background that the old constitution had outlived its usefulness.
Ordinarily, the constitution provides for review every 5 years, but that was ignored by previous administrations. To that end, the Christopher Isiguzo-led CWC deserves commendation notwithstanding the attempt at tenure elongation.
The NUJ is famed for poor fidelity to its grundnorm. There is crass indiscipline at all levels. Certain fundamental issues end up as “padi-padi.” People with little or no qualifications are allowed to hold offices especially at chapel levels who end up at the Council, possibly at the national.
This malady must STOP! The present constitution, which I actively participated in its final outcome, has cured some of the mischiefs like practicing to qualify. Now it emphasizes qualification to practice.
Professional misconduct should be expeditiously dealt with. For instances, members who fail to explore internal mechanisms before taking the union to court stand suspended immediately. It doesn’t require any convocation of NEC or CWC.
Publishers are not members of the union. It doesn’t matter how small the publication is. A publisher is a publisher –online or otherwise!
At present, it is common for chapel officials to act way beyond their mandates. It is now a bazaar of sorts to find press statements flying in all directions on national issues by chapel officials even other than the chairman. Phew!
State councils also engage in activities that may not be in sync with the position of the national secretariat without as much of a whimper from it.
No responsible union behaves that brazenly.
Accreditation for IIJ
With the physical structure and the personnel the IIJ Abuja has, it is surprising that proper accreditation for the IIJ lingers. That shouldn’t be a matter that can’t be achieved in six months for a serious minded president.
There are individuals and institutions which the right synergy can aid that to happen. So a candidate for the Office of President who wants to do well for the union should commit to this openly.
Hold government and employers’ accountable
The NUJ as the premier journalism organisation in the country has steadily lost its voice. Its response to issues of national concern are muted. Even when it speaks, it is pliant, “how we for do” kind of statement, lacks force and authority.
Too many times the union has looked the other way as media practitioners are dealt a heavy hand by the authorities. A responsible union, regardless of whether such media practitioners are members or not, ought to kick, speak out and demand accountability. The danger of not doing so is to aid arbitrariness and not be taken seriously in the abuse of its members.
At present, many a publisher has gotten away with murder. A few years back, 2017 precisely, in Abuja and Lagos, the union mobilised state councils to picket media outlets in arrears of several months to journalists.
In the FCT in 2021/22, media houses that had sacked workers were compelled to pay some months. The union makes us strong!
It is expedient for any serious candidate for the presidency of the union to show his action plan of enforcing the rights of members.
Professional training and fellowships
As an aspirant for president, the individual should demonstrate how he intends to assist state councils to have professional trainings for self-development of members.
There is stark lack of know-how amongst members, and with most newsrooms struggling, the union should demonstrate its interest in members’ capacity development.
Opportunities abound for fellowships, how can the president leverage on the prestige of the union to attract fellowships and ensure equity in this regard?
I have refrained from talking about the national secretariat and its stunted development. But it is important that the next president extricates the union from the legal bind it has found itself over that prime estate it has.
May God bless the Union and all those who genuinely seek to prosper it.
