Following the release of the final
list of candidates for the forthcoming 4th triennial delegates’ congress of the
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the need to elect dynamic, focused and
proactive leadership that would chart a new course for the union and satisfy
the yearnings and aspirations of members has been stressed,
Addressing journalists while flagging-off his campaign preparatory for the election billed to hold between May 24 - 27, a candidate for the National Vice President, Zone C, South east, Comrade Christopher Isiguzo said time has come for the NUJ to become a truly independent professional and industrial body of journalists that protect all her members.
Isiguzo, who is also the Bureau Chief of THISDAY Newspapers, Enugu Zonal office, stated that there was need to effect some radical changes that would encompass defence of press freedom and free expression, promotion of members' welfare, strengthened professionalism and enhanced image and integrity.
With respect to press freedom and free expression, Isiguzo said if elected in the May Triennial Congress, he would in collaboration with other officials of the union lead campaign for the repeal of all anti-media laws and legislations that restrict free expression and access to information; lead campaign for a halt to all forms of attacks on journalists and media establishments.
Continuing, the National Ex-Officio officer representing the South east in the Central Working and National Executive Committees of the NUJ said he would also encourage the establishment of a legal aid and defence units for victimized journalists and media establishments at the Zone C level, which he hoped would also later move to the national level and also actively participate in networks and coalitions working on free expression and access to information issues such as the Freedom of Information Coalition; and to revive press freedom defence committees at the national, state and chapel levels.
“No doubt, our zone has not enjoyed the best of leaderships over-time. I joined the race because of my passion for the Union . We can’t continue to remain like toddlers every year. By the time I am elected, it’s my desire to promote active membership; we are going to discourage docility,” he stated, while urging media practitioners in the zone to gear up for an action-packed administration.
On members' welfare, the Unionist said he would also liaise with other officials to ensure that the NUJ is allowed to take its rightful position in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and work with other industrial unions to enforce collective bargaining in the media industry; as well as establish a welfare fund for members who are victimized on the account of their union activities.
On the issue of improving the professional know-how of members, especially in the south east zone, Comrade Isiguzo said he would work assiduously towards ensuring a constant training and re-training of members including acquisition of advanced ICT and international language skills in-tune with contemporary realities and global trends.
He also expressed dismay over the mortality rate of state-owned print media establishments in the south east zone which he said had gone a long way in denying the people the opportunity of effectively expressing themselves and ensuring that their voices were heard, stating that when elected, he would create a forum where the union and the various state governments would find viable ways of revitalising such establishments.
He further pledged to work hard to ensure that the impact of the zonal office of the Union is felt at the various states that make up the zone, adding that the Code of Conduct for practising journalists would be reproduced and distributed to members, while an enlightenment campaign for the reorientation of members to ensure compliance would also be constantly organised.
The VP candidate also used the forum to congratulate the Mohammed Garba led leadership of the NUJ for the modest achievements it had recorded in the past three years, and therefore urged delegates to the triennial congress to vote massively for the president in order to complete the good works he has started