The State Executive Council and Congress of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of its Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed.
The two organs of the union, at the meeting and the congress held on Wednesday, said Ahmed’s leadership was reaffirmed in recognition of its maturity, openness, transparency, fairness, and commitment to due process in the administration of the council.
In a communique issued at the end of the SEC meeting attended by the Chapel leaders from State Information, Federal Infomation, Radio Kwara, NTA, Herald, Kwara Television, Unilorin Chapel and Harmony FM, and the monthly congress of the union in Ilorin, the State Working Committee of the union was commended for its responsible leadership and for maintaining an administration that promotes consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for the various organs of the union.
The communique applauded the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union for its recent resolution to suspend three members of the council over their involvement in the litigation that trailed the 2024 council election as against Article 7 (5) D of NUJ.
The SEC particularly expressed its appreciation to the State Working Committee for its continued efforts toward improving the welfare and professional interests of members.
At the congress, the SWC’s efforts were acknowledged for running an inclusive administration in which members and chapel leadership are given opportunities to contribute to discussions and decisions affecting the union.
The SEC and Congress therefore urged the SWC to sustain this approach and continue to place the welfare, unity, dignity, and professional advancement of members at the centre of its administration.
The SEC strongly frowned at the practice whereby individuals or groups of members allegedly issue letters, statements, communiqués, or other official-sounding documents purporting to speak on behalf of the entire union or its members without the appropriate mandate or approval of the competent organs of the council.
The SEC emphasised that no individual or group should arrogate to itself the authority to speak for the entire council or its members without proper authorisation.
The SEC therefore directed the appropriate organs of the union to take all necessary steps, in accordance with the NUJ Constitution and established procedures, to prevent such practices and to recommend for sanction any member found culpable.
The SEC also expressed serious concern over the alleged misuse of the Union’s official WhatsApp Page and other communication channels by individuals whose activities may undermine the peace, unity, dignity, and orderly administration of the Council.
It called on members to exercise restraint, decorum, and professionalism in their communications and directed administrators of the Union’s platforms to enforce the applicable rules fairly and without discrimination.
Meanwhile, what could have ended in a physical confrontation was averted after two former state NUJ Chairmen, Umar Abdulwahab, and Biodun Abdulkareem, attempted to disrupt the congress with their unethical conduct.
It was observed that Umar Abdulwahab, who has not been recognized to speak while raising a point of order during the congress, violently charged toward where the Council Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, was presiding in a bid to physically assault him.
In spite of the provocative attempts, the council chairman was sighted maintaining his composure and simply asked Umar Abdulwahab to return to his seat, notwithstanding the vulgar abuse he rained continuously while being led out of the venue of the congress.
Biodun Abdulkareem also made a futile effort to disrupt the congress after he rose from his seat to attack a fellow colleague, Akeem Olatidoye.
Others who attempted to disrupt the congress include Tayo Ayanda and a suspended member, Adamu Usman, who made his way into the venue of the SEC meeting and congress without being authorized.
The Council has therefore resolved to formally notify the National Secretariat of the union about the conduct of the affected members.
