Protection of journalists would be my watchword ― NUJ Presidential Aspirant

A presidential aspirant for the 2018 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) national election, Mr Abiodun Olalere has promised to protect the rights of journalists and restore the dignity of the union if elected into office.

Olalere, a two-time chairman of the Osun State council of the NUJ, made this pledge when his campaign team stormed the Secretariat of the NUJ, Bayelsa State Council to canvass for support.

He said when allected into office one of his major focus is to enhance the media practice in Nigeria because journalists over the years have not been accorded their rightful place by members of the political class and employers of labour.

Explaining further, he said “once I am elected into office, proprietors of private newspapers would be pressured to pay salaries of media workers so that they could be able to pay their check-off dues to the NUJ.

“I would also ensure that we resolve all crisis at the state level of the NUJ, so we could all live in love, peace and friendship. I need just three years to transform NUJ and bring back our dignity.”

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In his response, the chairman of Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ, Mr John Angese urged him to consider the issue surrounding the certificate of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) that is being rejected by the state government.

“In Bayelsa State, for example, many journalists working for the government have not been promoted because the state government have refused to recognise the IIJ certificate.

“My assurance to you is that power comes from God and God alone. If God has designed it that you would be our next president, so shall it be.”