Atiku, Ambode Congratulate Odusile, New NUJ President

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and Governor Akinwumi Ambode have congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Waheed Odusile.

In a press statement released by his Media Office in Abuja on Sunday, 26 July the former Vice President said the time of the emergence of Odusile to lead the NUJ is significant and momentous in view of the mandate by Nigerians to President Muhammadu Buhari to enthrone change in the way they are being governed.

The former Vice President urged him to endeavour to key into the desire of the people of Nigeria for change and good governance and lead the body of journalists to support the anti- corruption campaign of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Stressing that Nigerians need probity and transparency in public life, Atiku opined that the anti-corruption campaign would register tremendous success if the generality of journalists nationwide embrace the campaign and use their profession to further the goals of the government in this regard.

Second, the former Vice President advised the NUJ leader to take the controversial and vexed issue of welfare of journalists seriously. He said the NUJ President should strive to be different and active in working for better conditions of service and remuneration for working journalists and even the retired ones.

Abubakar expressed the view that when the welfare needs of journalists who are watchmen against corruption in society are taken care of, they would be better disposed to playing the critical roles expected of them as agents for good governance and accountability.

He said that the NUJ President can make progress on the welfare issue by mobilizing support from government, the private sector and other critical stakeholders in the society. Atiku expressed optimism that Mr. Odusile would make a difference in this task given his wealth of experience and the positions he has occupied in the profession.

The former Vice President while assuring the new NUJ President and indeed the association of his support at all times, wished him an exciting and successful tenure.

Also, Governor Ambode today congratulated Odusile. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor commended the peaceful and democratic process that preceded his victory.

He urged Odusile to ensure that professionalism and high ethical standards are entrenched in the practice of journalism in the country. “While I congratulate you on the singular felicity of your emergence as the NUJ President, I urge you to work assiduously to improve the professional standard for the practice of Journalism and also ensure that high ethical standards are adhered to. This is the only way to ensure credibility in journalism as the Fourth Estate of the Realm”, the Governor said.

The Governor who said that Odusile’s victory was a validation of vision, consistency and hard work, expressed confidence in his ability as the new NUJ president to take the practice of journalism to the next level in the country. “I have watched with keen interest your manifesto and I became persuaded of your ability to take the practice of journalism to the highest level in Nigeria. I am indeed delighted at your victory at the polls”, he said.

Governor Ambode also urged him to make training and re-training of journalists a priority during his tenure, saying that Nigeria journalists should be able to stand tall among their counterparts in other parts of the world. “Journalism practice in Nigeria should be benchmarked by what is obtainable in the profession around the globe. This is the only way to sustain the respect the profession commands around the world”, he said.

Odusile was declared winner in a keenly contested election during the National Delegates Conference/ Presidential Election of the NUJ held at the weekend in Abuja.