Bolaji Buhari
Lagos – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on media organisations to stop publicising activities of individuals or groups that can threaten Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Council of NUJ, Mr Deji Elumoye, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
He said that journalists and media organisations had the responsibility to preserve the unity of the country and should not be used as tools by unpatriotic people to cause tension.
“These are critical times, and NUJ Urges Journalists To Adhere To Ethic media professionals and organisations have the responsibility to always consider the unity of the country.
“The NUJ strongly condemns the recent destabilising actions of some groups, religious sects and individuals which have threatened the corporate existence of the country.
“We urge our members and media organisations to stop giving these unpatriotic elements attention in their reports in order not to overheat the polity.
“The union is irrevocably committed to the unity of the country and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians. We will not subscribe to anything that will hurt that commitment,’’ he said.
Elumoye urged groups having issues with the country to use dialogue to resolve them instead of threats, blackmail or intimidation.
He also condemned intimidation of Nigerians in some parts of the country by some groups and individuals.
The unionist urged all citizens to be more patriotic, saying that agitations for the dismemberment of the country were uncalled for.
On the recent sack of no fewer than 145 workers of Lagos-based Television Continental (TVC) and Radio Continental, Elumoye described the development as unfortunate.
He gave the assurance that the union would ensure that all the affected journalists were paid their entitlements.
“The union is worried about the development at TVC. However, in as much as we are not happy about the retrenchment, it is the right of organisations to hire and fire.
“What we want as a union is that all the retrenched workers should be paid their entitlements in line with best labour practices.
“We will continue to engage the management of the TVC to ensure that no one is owed a kobo,’’ he said.
Elumoye also urged journalists to plan for life after active journalism practice.
He said that the union had been organising seminars on skill acquisition and other empowerment programmes for its members to ensure that they would have livelihood after leaving their jobs.
