…Approves membership of journalists working with registered online media Organisations

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has delisted the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Local Government Information Chapels across the country from its members status.

The decision was made in a communique issued at the end of the Union’s Special Delegates Conference held in Kano State between January 24 to January 27, 2023.

The conference which was declared opened by the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, also in attendance by the union’s national president, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, and delegates from the 37 councils across the country approved and passed amendment to some provisions of its constitution.

According to the communique signed by the national secretary, Shu’aibu Usman Leman, the union approved First Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent in Mass Communication and Journalism related courses as the entry qualification for the practice of Journalism in Nigeria and membership of the Union.

The statement reads in part, “The Conference in session streamlined its membership in line with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution.

“Accordingly, the Conference in session after exhaustive deliberations on membership status, delisted and dissolved the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Local Government Information Chapels across the country and directed State Councils to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the approved amendments to the NUJ Constitution.

“It however, approved the membership of journalists working with online media organisations registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and recognised by the National Secretariat of the NUJ.”

The union called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible, free, fair and acceptable 2023, general elections as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2022.

“The Conference advocated the conduct of a credible, free, fair and acceptable 2023 general elections and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the process to elect credible leaders that will steer the ship of State in the next four years.

“The Special Delegates Conference particularly challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to strive to meet the yearnings of Nigerians for a smooth, credible, free and fair elections by living and meeting the expectations of the people thus, urged the electoral umpire to ensure that it fulfills its mandate as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

“The Conference commended the deployment of technology in the electoral process as backed by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, with the aim of enhancing the electoral system and building the confidence of the people in the conduct of elections in the country.

“It viewed with concern the overheating of the polity by politicians through all forms of verbal attacks and use of thugs in electioneering.

“It therefore counseled the political class, particularly the presidential candidates of some of the leading political parties to abide by the rules and do away with thuggery before, during and after the general elections,” it stated.