The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has insisted that governors must implement the new minimum wage on the template agreed on by the Federal Government  with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The union states its position  in a communique signed by Mr Shuaibu Leman, National Secretary, and issued to newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council Meeting on Friday in Lokoja.

The governors had said that they would only pay according to the financial standing of their respective states.

The union also called on relevant agencies of government to ensure free and credible governorship polls in Kogi and Bayelsa States.

NUJ also reject in its entirety, the step by the Federal Government to regulate social media operators in the country.

It called on the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, not to succumb to the temptation of restricting the social media as the attempt could easily lead to “gagging the media.”

The NUJ also appealed to the Federal Government, INEC, security agencies and political gladiators, to ensure hitch-free conduct of the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections.

On the lingering dispute among members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) the Union set up a five-man committee to reconcile the two factions involved in the leadership crisis rocking the association.

The NEC also suspended indefinitely, former President of NUJ, Waheed Odusile and the Vice President, Zone C, Petros Obi, as well as National Vice-chairman, Zone C of NAWOJ, Chibota Edozie, and a NAWOJ member, Ngozi Agbo for persistent anti-union activities.

It approved the employment of two additional Assistant National Secretaries, just as it offered  contract appointment to Mr Bamidele Gbemiga who retired as a Senior Assistant National Secretary.

The  NEC  also approved the use of centralised NUJ attendance register for state councils to check sharp practices in the compilation of membership lists in states

NUJ, Governors Forum, minimum wage