Connect with us

News

Corruption and Accountability in Journalism: A Call for Reform within the NUJ-FCT Council

Published

on

Journalism remains a critical profession that educates the public, ensures governmental accountability, and immensely enriches societal discourse. It strives to uphold ethical standards and maintain public trust, even in the face of challenges presented by a rapidly evolving media landscape.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is instrumental not only in safeguarding the rights of journalists but also in influencing the media landscape within Nigeria. The union actively promotes the professional development of its members, advocates for press freedom, and contributes to the enhancement of democratic processes in the nation.
A comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities encountered by the union is critical for fully appreciating the contemporary dynamics of labour relations, the rights of workers, and the welfare of journalists.
Regrettably, developments within  the NUJ-FCT Council in the last six ( 6) years has fallen short of the noble ideals and expectations of the founders of the union.The council is marred by corruption, self- serving and largescale unwholesome practices among its leadership. These issues not only undermine the union’s  effectiveness but also jeopardise the integrity of the journalism profession.
The council’s misappropriation of its resources for individual benefits has engendered an atmosphere of profound mistrust and misgivings.
The allegations of extortion through the improper use of the council’s letterhead for clandestine deals are particularly alarming and extremely worrisome.
Furthermore, the practice of communicating with high-ranking public officials and politicians across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to intimidate them with spurious allegations for the purpose of financial exploitation underscores an immediate necessity for systemic reforms within the council.
During electoral cycles, the parties that embody an “entitled mentality” within the council are able to perpetuate their dubious practices and reinforce the status quo by effectively sidelining independent-minded individuals who seek to contest for various elective positions in preference for those selectively handpicked  and “anointed” by the coterie within the council.
The clique prefers “anointing” individuals with questionable reputations, particularly those with documented cases of financial misconduct and corruption in anti-graft agencies. This strategy enables them to leverage blackmail and exert control over these individuals to ensure compliance with their personal demands.
Given that the council lacks annual appropriations from the government, its primary asset is its goodwill. Thus, it is important to entrust this intangible asset to individuals who demonstrate integrity and can be trusted.
In the last six (6)years, there has been no evidence of audited financial statements from the council, and all financial transactions have been conducted in a state of complete obliqueness.
For example, tens (10s) of millions of Naira was collected from the electronic shop within the premises of the council, the details of the transaction has been shielded in secrecy and they are expecting to receive and share the rent money of the same property which is due for renewal before the end of 2024.
This raises an important question regarding the identity of the individuals who serve as signatories to the council’s bank accounts.
Therefore, it is imperative to dismantle the entrenched cabal within the NUJ-FCT Council in the upcoming elections by ensuring that only independent-minded candidates of integrity are elected to the various positions.
In conclusion, this call for reform extends beyond a mere transition in leadership; it seeks to restore the council’s credibility in its role as a guardian of journalistic values. It underscores the necessity of prioritizing the collective welfare of its members over individual interests, thereby reaffirming the council’s commitment to ethical journalism and the broader journalistic community.
Maryann Eze
Public Affairs Analyst
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

BREAKING: Jubilation As PDP Wins All 30 LGs In Osun State(See winners)

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has announced that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won all the local government and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in the state.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hashim Abioye, made this announcement via a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday evening.

Abioye stated that PDP candidates secured all the councillorship seats in all 332 wards in the state, as well as the chairmanship elections in all 30 local government council areas.

Advertisement

The names of the PDP chairmanship candidates and their respective local government council areas:

Babalola Wasiu Kayode – Boripe

Okunade Oluwafemi Adesanya – Egbedore

Adeyenuwo Rotimi John – Ife Central

Advertisement

Agboola Francis Olajire – Obokun

Azeez Lateef Adeniran – Isokan

Aina Abayomi Adesina – Boluwaduro

Sodiq Samuel Oluwapelumi – Ola Oluwa

Advertisement

Ajibade Oluwatoyin S. – Irepodun

Adebanjo Oladiti Tunmininu – Ilesa West

Ibironke Alade Adegboye – Atakumosa East

Aroke Muyiwa Aderemi – Ife South

Advertisement

Kolade Obafemi Kolawole – Olorunda

Moshood Adekunle Kabiru – Iwo

Awotunde Abiodun Sarafadeen – Ifelodun

Akande Taiwo Adekunle – Osogbo

Advertisement

Dada Feyisayo Ajibola – Atakumosa West

Amodu Taiwo – Ede North

Atolagbe Kayode Olayinka – Ifedayo

Akande Michael O. – Ife North

Advertisement

Adeyekun Taiwo Adebayo – Oriade

Adeniran Adenike Felicia – Ayedaade

Afolabi Oyekola Lukman – Ede South

Odunyemi Haruna Bukola – Ife East

Advertisement

Jooda Ambali Babajide – Irewole

Adewale Adeyinka Oluwaseun – Odo Otin

Ogunbiyi Solomon Akinyemi – Ayedire

Raimi Adenike Nafisat – Ejigbo

Advertisement

Adebisi Jayeola Nasir – Ila

Ilesanmi Taiwo Sunday – Ilesa East

Alade Aderemi Fatai – Orolu

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker

Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.

It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.

In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.

According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.

Advertisement

Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.

The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.

So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.

“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.

Advertisement

“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.

“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.

For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”

Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.

Advertisement

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.

The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.

However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.

Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News