Comrade Alhassan Yahaya has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for three years.
Yahaya was elected at the 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the union held from November 26 to 28 at Owerri, Imo State.
The immediate National Deputy President of the union for three times succeeds Chris Isiguzo, who had been president in the last six years.
Yahaya of Gombe State Media Corporation (GMCTv), Gombe, polled 436 votes to defeat others. Comrade Bamidele Atunbi, former National Treasurer of the Union, of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abuja, got 97 votes while Comrade Garba Mohammed of Regional Editor (North) of Nigeria’s authoritative newspaper, News Express, had 39 votes.
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Also elected unopposed was the new Deputy President, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde. She is the General Manager, Radio Nigeria Bronze FM Edo State and former Board of Trustee of the union.
Comrade Oyetunde by this feat remains the first female Deputy National President of NUJ.
Other National Officers of the Union were unopposed including the National Treasurer Comrade Victor Ndukwe who was the former Abia State Council Chairman, while Ronke Samo was returned unopposed as the Vice President of B-Zone (Southwest).
The election conducted amidst tight security had Comrade Mike Ikeogwu as the Chairman of the electoral Committee and presided by the Representative of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
Earlier, the outgoing president, Mr Isiguzo had appreciated his colleagues for giving him the privilege to rule for six years.
He thanked the Imo state governor, Mr Hope Uzodinma for creating the enabling environment to host the conference.
According to him, Imo state is peaceful, contrary to media reports.
Holding the leaders accountable– Uzodinma
Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma stressed this at the ongoing 8th triennial conference of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) holding at Owerri, Imo state.
The governor said he is in support of an independent press in order to solidify Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, the media must hold the leaders accountable, but in doing so they must provide accurate news and be truthful in their reportage.
“The challenges are enormous. The rise of social media, fake news and disinformation are some of these issues. Here, I will recommend adequate media literacy, fact checking and responsible journalism.
“In Imo, we have introduced an award of excellence, where we celebrate journalists who are responsible in their reportage.
“So, I will encourage the leadership of the NUJ to step in to uphold the integrity of the profession. Ethical reporting must be emphasized, while there is the need to check disinformation,” he said.
Also, the guest lecturer, who is the president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, tasked the media professionals to uphold the integrity of the profession.
Represented by Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, mni, the lecturer stressed that media owners must invest in the capacity development of their staff, saying this would discourage them from “selling out.”
He encouraged media practitioners to support their colleagues by remunerating them whenever they are invited for public speaking events.
Prof. Ikechukwu also recommended media literacy, curriculum development, ethical reportage as part of measures to solidify the profession.
The theme of this year’s conference is Media and Democracy: The Journalist Role in holding Leaders Accountable.
More than 700 delegates attended the 8th triennial conference at Owerri, Imo state.
