COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A SPECIAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) IN KANO BETWEEN JANUARY 25 -26, 2023.
Delegates from the 37 councils of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), under the leadership of the President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, converged on Kano between 25th and 26th January and deliberated extensively on national and professional issues as well as the enactment of a new Constitution to guide the affairs of the union.
The conference, which was declared open by Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had as its theme: “Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Nigerian Journalism”.
Delegates at the Conference advocated the conduct of a free, fair and credible 2023 general election.
The NUJ Special Delegates Conference urged Nigerians to take advantage of the process to elect credible leaders that will pilot the affairs of the country. It equally advised the electoral umpire to be up and doing in fulfilling its mandate as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended and the Electoral Act 2022.
It also commended the deployment of technology in the electoral process as backed up by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, with the aim of reducing electoral fraud.
It advised the political class to abide by the rules and also discourage thuggery before, during and after the general election.
The conference enacted a new Constitution for the union, where the entry point for the practice of Journalism in Nigeria is pegged at first degree.
After exhaustive discussions on membership of the union, the confab dissolved all the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Local Government Information Chapels across the nation and directed all state councils to implement same.
It approved the development of a website for the union, where the bio data of members are to be uploaded regularly for easy identification of authentic practicing Journalists in Nigeria.
In line with modern day realities, the Conference approved the membership of journalists working with online media, whose medium have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and recognised by the National Secretariat of the NUJ.
The confab frowned at the anti union activities of some members of the NUJ, Abia State Council, who are causing disaffection among members of NAWOJ and directed those involved to desist.
The delegates commended the indelible imprints of the Ganduje-led administration by evolving good governance and giving the people of Kano State tangible dividends of democracy.
The conference expressed appreciation to the government and the good people of Kano State for hosting the Special Delegates’ Conference.
The Communiqué Drafting Committee members:
Gbenga Onoiga
Adeiza Momojimoh
Umar Saidu
Helen Udofa
Dele Atunbi
Shu’aibu Usman Leman
(Walin Shadalafiya)
National Secretary