NUJ suspends chairman and 3 other members

– The national national executive council of the Ogun state Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has suspended its chairman, Comrade Wole Sokunbi

– Three other members from the Ogun state chapter of the union were suspended gross indiscipline and disrespect

–  Four other journalists from Osun state council were suspended indefinitely

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun state council, Comrade Wole Sokunbi has been suspended by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union.

Also axed with the sledge hammer of the council is the state treasurer of the council, Modupeola Sobukanla,Wale Oluokun of FRCN and Daud Olatunji, Vanguard correspondent.

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They were suspended for gross indiscipline and disrespect to the office of the president of the NUJ.

Also, four other journalists from Osun state council were suspended indefinitely for taking the union to court without first exhausting internal mechanisms of settling dispute.

They are; Michael Olarewaju, Oguntunyi Sunday, Wasiu Ajadosu and Yinka Kolawole.

In a communique issued at the end of the first NEC meeting of the union in the year, held in Lagos on Saturday, April 16 and signed by the general secretary of the union, Shuaib Usman Leman, the affected journalists were suspended for a period of three months in the first instance.

At the meeting presided over by the national president of the NUJ, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile, the union deliberated on the state of the nation and urged the federal government to rise to the occasion and ensure that the problems facing the country presently are resolved without further delay in order to ameliorate the suffering of the masses.

The meeting had in attendance, members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) as well as chairmen and Secretaries of the councils from all states.

The communique reads in part: “The meeting took a critical look at the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last eleven months and expressed dismay at the hardship being presently faced by Nigerians as regards the lingering fuel scarcity and urged the government to rise to the occasion and ensure that the problem is resolved without further delay in order to ameliorate the suffering of the masses. The union specifically expressed dissatisfaction at the avalanche of promises to end the imbroglio without success.

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“NEC-in-session also sympathises with parents of the abducted Chibok Girls, and urged the federal government to do all within its powers to secure the release of the school children who have remained in captivity for over two years. The union observed that with the latest video released by Boko Haram showing that the girls are still alive, government should ensure that their lives are not further endangered.

“On the ongoing war against graft, NEC-in-Session commends the present administration on its avowed commitment to rid the country of corruption and urged journalists across the country to be part of the crusade by ensuring that no corrupt person enjoys media protection.

“With regards to the Panama’ Papers, NEC urged government to take a second look at those who hide their wealth in offshore companies in order to evade tax. It insists that the government should take a second look at tax laws and bring all taxable Nigerians within the tax net.

“NEC-in-Session also looked at the lingering impasse between the executive and the legislature with regards to the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill and therefore urges the presidency and the National Assembly to quickly resolve their differences in the interest of Nigerians.

“It also advised that important projects which would have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians like the Lagos-Calabar rail line be maintained in the budget without further delay.

“On security, NEC-in-Session commends the armed forces for the obvious improvement in the ongoing fight against insurgency. It advises government not to relent until terrorism is completely stamped out of the country. It also calls for adequate security for people in the IDP camps. On Fulani herdsmen/Farmers crises, NEC calls for urgent government intervention before the situation spirals out of hand. It also sought for a solution to the problem of Cattle rustling.

“On the rampant cases of kidnappings in the country, NEC urges for concerted efforts to stamp out the menace.

“On welfare, the Union demands that the issue of payment of salaries should be taken seriously by federal and state governments as well as private sector operators”, the communique said.

The union,at the end of the meeting, had NUJ elections petition Committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of handling petitions arising from State Council Elections, NAWOJ and SWAN elections.

The committee has as it Chairman, the Deputy President of the Union, Muktar Gidado while all the six Vice Presidents are members.

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Furthermore, the payment of check-off dues as at when due by members was stressed,added that,it will ensure that the activities of the union do not suffer.

The NEC also resolved that annulled Osun Council election should be conducted on or before the end of April 2016.

The NEC-in-session, however, expresses appreciation to the Lagos state government and the Lagos State Council of the NUJ for successfully hosting of the meeting without hitches.

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