• President, NLC congratulate Odusile as new NUJ leader
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has asked the media to join hands with his administration in rebuilding Nigeria through constructive journalism, just as he congratulated the newly-elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile.
Odusile of The Nation newspapers was declared the elected President at the weekend having defeated five other contestants to the position in a keenly contested election.
Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said with Odusile’s worthy credentials, long experience and antecedents as a highly respected and reputable professional, he could be counted upon to discharge his new responsibility of leading the NUJ to greater heights of accomplishment with distinction.
The President assured Odusile and the newly-elected executive officers of the NUJ of the fullest support and co-operation of the Federal Government as they move to reposition and revitalise the journalism profession in Nigeria for present and future challenges, including the revolutionary impact of new technologies on communications and information dissemination.
President Buhari further assures the new NUJ President and all journalists in Nigeria that his administration will consistently uphold their rights to perform their constitutionally-assigned role in the 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 youths.
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”, the statement further said. Besides, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commended the election of the new National President of the NUJ, Mr. Waheed Odusile, saying the victory was deserved.
A statement by the Deputy President of NLC, Mr. Issa Aremu, 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 NUJ to a greater height.” “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.”
