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NUJ to Partner with NIPR to Checkmate Quackery, Promote Professionalism

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to  checkmate quacks and promote professionalism in the media industry of the country.

The NUJ National President, Mr Chris Isiguzo made this known when a delegation from NIPR led by its president, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo visited the NUJ National Secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja.

Isiguzo said that the NUJ and NIPR were worthy partners in Project Nigeria, adding that they had reasoned and visited places to ensure that they built Nigeria.

According to him, there is no any professional group that has not got its fair share of quacks, adding that NUJ has taken the matter very seriously.

He said it was regrettable that people who do not have anything to do with the media were appointed into media-related positions and organisations.

The NUJ President said the union had established mechanisms for checking quackery in the profession in the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.

“This is because there are people who tend to bring shame and bad names to the professionals.”

Isizuzo reiterated that the union was doing a whole lot, adding that with NIPR joining in the struggle, something better would be achieved.

“We have started taking steps to address these anomalies as the case may be; the NUJ, Nigerian Guild of Editors and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria have really formed a very strong partnership.

“Now we are bringing Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on board; I think the NIPR should equally join us so that it would be a collective effort, and all of us speaking in one language.

“So I assure you that in our next engagement, NIPR will be equally and adequately represented, so that we can operate together.

“However, before long, we are going to come up with a framework on media practice, even though we have laws, most times we don’t understand what is in those books.

“For NUJ, we are still thinking that we can come up with something that can work for us, where we would be able to regulate ourselves to a very large extend.

“We are also working on the Journalism Enhancement Bill, which if passed into law would enable us check the activities of quacks and social media operators who spread fake news,’’ Isiguzo said

On development journalism, he said that had been his mantra since he became the president of NUJ.

“I have always stressed the need for us to practice the journalism that builds and not the one that pulls down.

“This because, no matter what we do, there is only one country that we can call our own, which is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We cannot continue to pander to the wings and caprices of political actors, whose mission and interest most times is not nationalistic but individual and that has been our pain,’’ he said,

Isiguzo explained further that with perception managers and information managers coming together to set the right agenda, Nigeria’s future remains bright.

He emphasized that journalists should begin to assert their authority in agenda setting, stressing that when they set the right agenda, “the country flies with it and verse versa”.

“So this is not the time to apportion blames; as journalists and perception managers, we should come together and build our country because the integrity of this nation is very important.

“We must begin to discuss Nigeria, not on religious lines but competence and capacity and the one that has the magic wand to turn around the country for good.

“We may not be excited about where we are today, but we are better than the United States at this level, because, when they were where we are today, their condition was worse than us,’’ Isisguzo said.

Speaking earlier, Sirajo said NIPR executives were at the National Secretariat of the NUJ on a fraternal visit and to underscore the fact that the two professions – journalism and public relations needed come together.

According to him the togetherness becomes necessary, especially at this point in the history of the country when things need to improve tremendously.

“For a long while the NIPR has been on a single minded mission to ensure that professionalism takes root in the media and public relations sectors.

“If you look at our general setting, most people who parade themselves as perception managers, media gurus, etc, but when you look deep, you will discover that they are quacks.

“We are here to see how we can partner with NUJ to see how we can weed out quacks in these two professions and also enhance adherence to the code of ethics and professionalism.

“I want to appreciate the NUJ on tackling quackery, but however, we need to do more and give our profession the golden place they deserved,’’ Sirajo said.

Newsmen report that present at the occasion were Shuaibu Liman, National Secretary of NUJ, the FCT Council Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, and his Secretary Ochiaka Ugwu, Nasarawa State Council Chairman and his Secretary Salihu Mohammed Alkali and Sunday John respectively and some other NUJ officials. 

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NUJ Pushes for Media Enhancement Bill, Health Insurance for Journalists

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it is working towards the passage of a Media Enhancement Bill to improve welfare packages for journalists across the country.

NUJ President, Alhassan Yahaya disclosed this on Wednesday during a media interactive forum organised by the Kano State Council of the union in collaboration with the State Ministry for Information and Internal Affairs in Kano.

The high-level media interactive dialogue was aimed at strengthening ethical standards and redefining public media narratives in the state.

Yahaya said the proposed legislation, already attracting sponsorship support from members of the House of Representatives, would address poor remuneration in the profession and enhance working conditions.

“We blow other people’s trumpets but not ours. It is time we stood firm and worked collectively to ensure the bill is passed,” he said.

Yahaya also advocated the introduction of health insurance for journalists, noting that less than one per cent currently have coverage.

“With a premium of N15,000 under the state health insurance scheme, journalists can access comprehensive healthcare from primary to tertiary levels, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and promoting universal health coverage,” he added.

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, said the state had embarked on wide-ranging reforms to strengthen media capacity, enhance transparency, and promote healthy communication between government and the citizens.

“These efforts, alongside stakeholder engagement and domestication of the Freedom of Information Act, have improved public information management and deepen civic participation,” Abdullahi-Waiya said.

He said the ministry had revived in-house publications, rehabilitated its library, and fostered cordial relations with media executives, political commentators and civil society groups.

NUJ Kano Chairman, Suleman Dederi, welcomed the A participants and emphasised the importance of engaging veteran journalists to improve professionalism in the state’s media space.

A former NUJ National President, Malam Sani Zoro, cautioned against the dangers of misinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence, citing past examples of fabricated stories that went viral.

He urged the union to study global best practices, strengthen the International Institute of Journalism, and organise forums to address pressing professional and societal issues.

Stakeholders at the dialogue commended the Kano State Government for being widely acknowledged as the most media-friendly in Nigeria.

They cited significant investments in journalism-related infrastructure, human capital development, and clearance of pension arrears for retired journalists.

They recommended that similar dialogues be held quarterly, veteran journalists should mentor younger colleagues via online platforms, and continuous capacity-building programmes should be prioritised to enhance professionalism.

The event brought together veteran journalists, academics, and media practitioners to share experiences and review developments within the profession in Kano State and Nigeria at large.

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NEWS

Tinubu Departs Abuja for Japan, Brazil Visits

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President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga stated that the President will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.

According to the statement, in Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from August 20 to 22.

With the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD9 will focus on Africa’s economic transformation and improvements in the business environment and institutions through private investment and innovation.

It will also promote a resilient and sustainable African society for human security, peace, and stability.

In addition to attending plenary sessions on themes linked to the conference, the Nigerian President will hold bilateral meetings and meet the chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria.

Initiated in 1993 by the Japanese government and co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank, TICAD is a triennial conference held alternately in Japan and Africa. The last one took place in August 2022 in Tunisia.

The forum fosters high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners.

At the end of the TICAD9, President Tinubu will leave for Brasilia, the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on a two-day state visit from Sunday, August 24, to Monday, August 25.

This follows an invitation by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

While in Brazil, President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with his host and attend a business forum with Brazilian investors.

His delegation—comprising key ministers and senior officials — will explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation and sign agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Brazilian government.

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NEWS

Auto Crash Claims Two in Bayelsa

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Two persons, a tricycle driver and his passenger (woman) were killed in a fatal road accident, along the Glory Drive roundabout, Etegwe, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.

The multiple road crash, involving a Mack truck, a Silver colour salon car and a commercial tricycle popularly known as Keke Napep, which occurred Wednesday around 2.

05pm left others injured.

According to eyewitnesses, the truck was at high speed when the driver lost control and rammed into the tricycle causing multiple crashes.

“The driver was moving too fast, and by the time he tried to swerve, it was already too late. The Keke had no chance,” said a trader, who witnessed the crash.

“The Keke driver and his passenger died on the spot, while others in the saloon car sustained injuries.

“The violent impact left the tricycle badly mangled. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated and deposited at the morgue of the FMC while the truck driver is in police custody.

A Senior Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bayelsa, who spoke anonymously confirmed the accident.

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