President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile of the Nation Newspapers on his election as the new President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Presidential Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina said in a statement that President Buhari believes that with his worthy credentials, long experience and antecedents as a highly respected and reputable professional, Mr. Odusile can be expected to discharge his new responsibility of leading the NUJ to greater heights of accomplishment with distinction.
The President assured Mr. Odusile and the newly elected executive officers of the NUJ of the fullest support and cooperation of the Federal Government as they move to reposition and revitalize the journalism profession in Nigeria for present and future challenges, including the revolutionary impact of new technologies on communications and information dissemination.
Buhari further assured the new NUJ President and all journalists in Nigeria that his Administration will consistently uphold their right to perform their constitutionally assigned role in society without hindrance.
“The President looks forward to working in a harmonious partnership with Mr. Odusile, the new NUJ executive and media practitioners in Nigeria as the Federal Government strives to end the scourge of Boko Haram, improve national security, rebuild and expand national infrastructure, accelerate the pace of economic development across the country and create more employment opportunities for Nigerian youth.
“President Buhari wishes Mr. Odusile and other newly-elected executive officers of the NUJ a very successful tenure in the service of their profession and country” ,Adesina said.
Also, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alh. Waheed Odusile and urged him to take seriously the task of eliminating quacks and fake journalists who give the profession a bad name.
Saraki described the election of Odusile as well deserved going by his track record of professionalism as a journalist but noted that the union under the new leadership must devise means of ensuring that some individuals who harass people at public functions while claiming to be journalists are dealt with according to the law so as to stop them from creating a bad image for the profession.
“The new executives under Odusile should take the issue of enforcement of compliance with professional ethics as a priority. Journalists of today should be ready to abide by the code of ethics of the profession and they should be more professional because their role in sustaining democracy and on-going development in the country cannot be emphasised.
“No doubt that you have what it takes to lead a critical body like the NUJ at this juncture in our democratic journey. I am particularly pleased that your election was based on your popularity and wide acceptance by your colleagues from all over the country,” he said.
He enjoined the new NUJ boss to use his new position to better the lots of both journalists in the country and the journalism profession because the contribution of the media will go a long way to boost the efforts of the present administration to revamp the nation’s economy.
He said he is looking forward to a robust partnership with the media and their elected representatives in the task of making legislations that will lead to improved standard of living in the country.
In the same vein,former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Waheed Odusile.
In a press statement released by his Media Office in Abuja on Sunday, 26 July the former Vice President said the time of the emergence of Odusile to lead the NUJ is significant and momentous in view of the mandate by Nigerians to President Muhammadu Buhari to enthrone change in the way they are being governed.
The former Vice President urged him to endeavour to key into the desire of the people of Nigeria for Change and good governance and lead the body of Journalists to support the anti- corruption campaign of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Stressing that Nigerians need probity and transparency in public life, Atiku opined that the anti-corruption campaign would register tremendous success if the generality of journalists nationwide embrace the campaign and use their profession to further the goals of the government in this regard.
Second, the former Vice President advised the NUJ leader to take the controversial and vexed issue of welfare of journalists seriously. He said the NUJ President should strive to be different and active in working for better conditions of service and remuneration for working journalists and even the retired ones.
Atiku Abubakar expressed the view that when the welfare needs of journalists who are watchmen against corruption in society are taken care of, they would be better disposed to playing the critical roles expected of them as agents for good governance and accountability.
He said that the NUJ President can make progress on the welfare issue by mobilizing support from government, the private sector and other critical stakeholders in the society. Atiku expressed optimism that Mr. Odusile would make a difference in this task given his wealth of experience and the positions he has occupied in the profession.
The former Vice President while assuring the new NUJ President and indeed the association of his support at all times, wished him an exciting and successful tenure.
In a related development,Comrade Issa Aremu, general secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment & Tailoring Workers (NUTGTWN) who is also deputy president of Ajaero led faction of NLC said “On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union and the generality of our members, we hereby formally congratulate you on your deserved election as the new National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at your just concluded successful historic 5th Triennial Delegates’ Conference.
“We commend the NUJ for abiding strictly by your election rules and guidelines which led to the successful Conference and the general acceptance of the outcome of the election. It was remarkable that NUJ closed nominations two months earlier before the conference putting an end to avoidable manipulations and distortions at the conference.
“We have explicit confidence in your ability together with other elected national officers to move the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to a greater height.
Aremu said “NLC will undoubtedly partner with NUJ to fight against employers who have turned working journalists to slaves and working beggars on account of non-payment of their legitimate salaries. Non-payment and delayed payments of salaries amount to wage robbery that must be fought. ILO conventions and Nigerian labour laws underscore the sanctity of living wages for working men and women worldwide.
