NUJ Elections: Aladenika promises adequate welfare of journalists

Comrade Otunba Mike Aladenika, presidential candidate at the forthcoming Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), elections has pledged to preside over union that will take action to make employers of journalists pay their wages regularly.

His ambition to contest the Pen Pushers presidential election slates for Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, has raised the expectations of concerned members of the union.

Comrade Aladenika, who over the weekend submitted his expression of interest form to Mrs. Bimbo Oyetunde, Secretary Credentials Committee, NUJ Delegates Conference 2018, in Benin City.

He said: “We have confidence in your Committee. There is no rival in NUJ. We believe that a free and fair election will be conducted. Already, those watching from afar have felt versions of disappointment.”

“I intend to take the objectives of our union more seriously by putting the welfare of all members on the front burner. I don’t see the use of having hundreds of journalists ‘working’ in media houses across the country, but do not get paid for their services at the end of the day.

“The union does not need a special salary scale for journalists. What it needs is to speak up for its pauperized members who don’t have anybody else to fight for them. As President, I will preside over a union that will take action to get employers of journalists to regularly pay us our wages no matter how small.”

In the meantime, Comrade Mike Aladenika has appointed two officers into his campaign organization. They are veteran journalist, Pastor Remi Yusuf is to serve as Campaign Director while Tony Erha will be director in charge of communication and strategy.

In her response, Oyetunde, while addressing the presidential aspirant and his entourage on behalf of her Committee, pledged to be fair to all the contestants in the various positions. “We urge you to trust us. We will be just and fair to all the contestants.”

However, A former Secretary of Edo State Council of NUJ, Comrade Titus Akhigbe and other Chapels’ leaders in the union, tasked the contestant to use the opportunity to redirect the NUJ towards the path of progress for efficient productivity if given the mandate.

Comrade Sebastine Ebhuomwan, a Freelance Journalist, said: “My expectation for the next NUJ president is on the issue of poor welfare and non-payment of journalists’ salaries by employers.

According to him, “Any candidate that can’t tackle the problem deserves no votes from delegates, considering that some of the candidates are from media houses owing staff salaries”.

For a veteran journalist, Comrade Ofure Osehobo, said that the next president of the Union must reposition the union. This is my mission.