NUJ 2024: Elect leaders with proven credentials, Integrity, NUJ Chair charges members

State Correspondent 

Ahead of the National Election of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Council Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen has called on journalists to vote members with proven academic credentials and astute integrity into offices.

According to him, the Union had suffered so much because of people with questionable characters leading it.

The NUJ FCT Council chairman, who spoke when one of the National Presidential candidate, Mr. Dele Atunbi flagged-off his campaign, said “the letters of the NUJ Constitution must be strictly adhere to in conducting the elections of the Union.”

Extolling the credentials of Dele Atunbi, Osadebemwen said, “We should elect leaders we shouldn’t question their academic credentials or integrity.”

In his speech, Dele Atunbi a two time Secretary and Chairman of the Ondo State NUJ Council said the welfare of members was paramount in his vision for the Union.

According to him, at the council level he fought for members welfare and would replicate that at the National level.

Dele Atunbi is the current National Auditor of NUJ and the chairman of the NUJ constitution review committee in 2023 that reviewed the constitution that stipulates you must qualify to practice and no more practicing to qualify.

The present NUJ constitution stipulates that a journalist must have at least a High National Diploma (HND) in Journalism or Mass Communication or a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism to practice or participate in Union activities.

Also speaking at the flagg-off campaign, a former NAWOJ President, Evelyn Oyilo spoke against leaders of the Union turning the Union to their personal properties.

According to her the integrity of the Union has bewildered as people no longer respect the Union because of bad leadership.

She canvassed for a return of the Union to its former glory where the Union was part of developmental processes of government.

Also, a former Council Chairman Amos Dunia expressed disappointment over non qualified members leading the Union.

He said, we are in era, where people who could not defend their first degree are appending the prefix “Dr” to their names.

He charged members to scrutinize the credentials of those standing for elections in the Union.

Dele Atunbi is a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

The NUJ National Election slated for November 27 is coming up in Owerri Imo State.