The Nigeria Union of Journalists has urged the former Governor of Ogun State and the Chief Promoter of the Western Publishing Company Limited, publishers of the Nigerian Compass and The Westerner, to intervene in the crisis between the company and its former staff who are yet to be paid their entitlements, months after they left the company.
The NUJ, after its National Executive Council meeting on March 17, 2012 in Abuja, said the time had come for Daniel to intervene in order to save the company.
The meeting was attended by the national officers of the union and the 36 state councils of the union and the FCT.
In the communique issued after the NEC meeting, signed by the union’s Secretary General, Shu’aibu Usman Leman, reads in full: “After exhaustive deliberations on the State of the Union/Nation, the NECIn-Session resolves that:
“1- The Fourth Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Union will hold from Thursday, May 24 to Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Abuja.
“2- The Reviewed Constitution of the Union has been approved by the Registrar of the Trade Unions, and the document will be used in conducting the 2012 national elections of the union.
“3- The leadership of the union as led by Muhammad Garba was again commended for effectively repositioning the union to its present enviable level. NEC in Session, ones more reaffirmed the Anambra Declaration of Dec 2011 where a vote of confidence was passed on the leadership.
“4- The Publisher of ThisDay Newspapers and President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Mr Nduka Obaigbena be applauded for appreciating the contributions of the union in sustaining the media industry and for his resolve to work with the union and other stakeholders to address the myriads of problems facing the industry. NEC also notes with appreciation the donation of a 26 seater bus to the union by Mr Obaigbena.
“5- The UNDP was commended for partnering with the union to establish an E-forum for journalists in Democracy and Governance in Nigeria. This programme will provide the opportunity for effective online interactions among the Union members and other stakeholders. The union will do all it takes to further strengthen such partnerships.
“6- The American Centre for International Labour Solidarity Abuja was similarly appreciated for assisting the union in its training programme for organisers. The union believes that more of such training opportunities are needed especially now that the union is repositioning for better performance .
“7- The first phase of the union’s building project that will house the International Institute of Journalism and the National Secretariat complex will commence on Build Operate and Transfer basis, while construction work on the site office building had already reached 65 per cent completion level. NEC members who visited the site commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed for his assistance and personal interest in the project and urged him to farther assist the union to complete the complex as soon as possible .
“8- The very ugly state of Nigerian roads and the attendant consequences continue to elicit the concern of NEC members who once more appeal to the Federal Government to do more in order to arrest the dangerous trend. And on the probe of some government agencies, especially, the NNPC, NEC urges the Federal Government to fast-track the probe and make the report public.
“9- The deplorable condition of the New Nigerian Newspapers was worrisome to the union as such the Northern State Governments who own the conglomerate were called upon to immediately initiate concrete measures to resuscitate the organisation. Ditto the issue of Compass Newspapers where Journalists have continued to be sacked arbitrarily and without any payment of salaries and other benefits. The union calls on the promoter of Compass Newspapers, the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel to quickly intervene in this ugly situation by redressing the various acts of injustices therein.
“10- Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba, was commended by the union for hosting the 2012 National Media Games in Jalingo while Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Peter Obi of Anambra state were also appreciated for their various supports to the union.
“11- While mourning the death of media icon, Chief Godwin Dabo , the union also commiserates with the Acting Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar over the death of DIG John Haruna and other Police officers in a tragic air crash in Jos recently.”