By Amina Jibrin
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has reaffirmed its dedication to improving journalism practice and the welfare of journalists across Nigeria.
The Union is actively working towards the passage of the Media Enhancement Bill at the National Assembly to strengthen the industry.
In a Communique at the end of th inaugural meeting of the Central Working Committee, CWC, in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the Union is engaging with the National Assembly, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to push for the Media Enhancement Bill.
The Communique states that, the CWC resolved to explore entrepreneurship and commercial ventures as alternative revenue streams to ensure the smooth administration of the Union’s affairs.
It also says the CWC members commended the NUJ President for his visionary leadership and urged him to sustain the momentum in advancing the Union’s objectives.
The Communique explains that, the Union will organize two training workshops for journalists within the first quarter of the year to enhance professional development in various aspects of the media industry.
Its states that the union will foster inclusivity, the administration will appoint focal persons for each zone to enhance coordination and communication within the Union.
The Communique emphasizes the importance of internal dispute resolution among members, therefore all State Councils are required to route communications through their respective Zonal Offices, while the National Secretariat will reciprocate by copying Zonal Offices in all correspondences to uphold the principle of inclusivity.
“To ensure transparency in the remittance of check-off dues, the Union is in discussions with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) office to guarantee that all deducted dues from NUJ members are directly remitted to the NUJ account”
The CWC applauds the Kebbi State Government for infrastructural advancements, including township roads, a modern motor park, agricultural investments, and social welfare programs and urged the governor to sustain these efforts in fulfilling his mandate as a unionist par excellence.
It urges the Federal Government to utilize Nigeria’s vast arable land to boost food security and also called on security agencies to intensify efforts in addressing the nation’s security challenges and as well the government to prioritize the welfare of citizens in policy making.
