By Banji Ayoola
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has appealed to the Federal Government to waive import duties on printing materials to prevent an imminent collapse of the nation\’s media industry.
Making this appeal through the Chairman of its Ondo State Council, Mr James Sowole, the union regretted that the escalating costs of printing materials, equipment and production are gradually killing the industry.
He spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the Dinner and Award Nite commemorating the union\’s Special Press Week.
His words: \”Considering the situation on ground, it would not be an overstatement to describe the media industry as in a distress situation.
\”The distress was caused by unfavourable operational environment occasioned by high production costs and high reduction in revenue which cannot meet production costs.
\”It is at this juncture that we enjoin the Federal Government to rescue the nation\’s media industry from total collapse, both private and government owned media organisations, by reducing or waiving import duties on inputs and equipment being used by media industry, since most of these tools and materials except labour are imported.
\”We are hereby calling on the Federal Government to intervene on matters affecting the media industry as it did for the banking and the textile industries.\”
Besides, the union called on owners of media organisations to make welfare of journalists their priority; while the Federal Government should do everything possible to make implementation of Media Salary Structure a reality.
It also appealed to the Ondo State Government to appoint a substantive Head for the state owned Owens Press, publisher of The Hope.
The union said: \”While we commend the Ondo State Government for the huge intervention in the revival and operation of the state owned Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC), the government should do something urgent to put in place a substantive head for the state owned Owens Press, Publisher of Hope Newspapers.\”
Sowole said that the union is unhappy that happy that no journalist was appointed Permanent Secretary in the state.
He said: \”Over the years, the union had been advocating that the state government should consider qualified journalists both in the Ministry of Information and the State Media for appointment but all to no avail. For the umpteenth time, we are calling on the state government to do the needful by appointing journalists as Permanent Secretaries in the next appointment.\”
He gave situation report on the proposed NUJ Pen Estate at OSI in Akure North Local Government, where members acquired plots of land, saying: \”I am delighted to inform you that despite challenges that we encountered on the project, more than 95 per cent of subscribers have taken physical possession of their plots of land.\”
While appreciating the royal father of Osi, the Ireshi of Osi, Oba David Oladele Okunato, for his love and assistance to the union, he said: \”we are still seeking his further cooperation to ensure that the remaining subscribers are taken care of.\”
According to Sowole: \”One other achievement recorded since we departed here in 2016 was the resolution of the age long dispute on the union\’s land on the East Wing of the Press Centre.
\”It would be recalled that when we raised the matter during the last Dinner and Award Nite in 2016, the Kabiyesi, Deji of Akure promised to do everything possible to resolve all matters on the land.
\”Living up to his promise, the Kabiyesi rose to the occasion when the issue resurfaced on the land. To the Glory of God, all issues on the land have been resolved finally.\”
He said: \”We give glory to the Almighty God for giving us opportunities to witness this Special Press Week of the union.\”
On the awards, the Chairman said: \”We have selected some distinguished Nigerians for honours due to their outstanding performances and characters. \”The NUJ award is not like any other award because it is being regulated. For all the awards we are givingtoday, the National Secretariat of the union was first contacted and we gave reasons for each of the awards being given.
\”Distinguished guests, the union is looking up to you for assistance in several ways. The union needs money for reconstruction of buildings within the complex of this centre. The union needs money to buy a mini bus or car bus like Sienna as a utility vehicle. We need money for landscaping of our premises particularly the backyard.\”
In his speech, the union\’s National President, Mr Waheed Odusile who was represented by the Vice President B Zone, Mr Cosmas Oni, reiterated the readiness of the union to continuously prioritise the welfare of its members especially in the area of capacity building and urged them to embrace unity for the greatness of the union.
He further charged members of the union to shun acts that could belittle the profession in the eye of the public while appealing to all qualified members who are yet to be captured in the NUJ biometrics registration to do so to help get rid of quackery in the profession.
Odusile congratulated the award recipients, adding that for journalists to have adjuged any individual for an award is a well deserved honour.
He urged the aggrieved members of the union in the state to embrace peace and retrace their steps off illegality.
On his own, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Kunle Adebayo who is the Chairman of OSRC, congratulated the leadership of the union for the well-chosen topic at this point in time.
According to him, despite individuals’ effort to ensure the security of the nation, the security issue has been handled politically, and national security protects the sovereignty of the country.
At the event, awards were given to some deserving journalists and personalities. They included a former Managing Director of Owena Press Limited, publisher of The Hope, Mr Ademola Adetula and the paper\’s Head, Judiciary/ Crime Desk, Sunmola Olowookere.
Adetula was conferred with an award for philanthropic and community service while Olowookere bagged professional award as the Best Judicial Reporter of the year.
Other journalists who also received professional awards are Isaac Afolabi of Positive FM as Sports Reporter of the Year (Electronics), Segun Giwa of NAN as Sports Reporter of the Year (Print), Hakeem Gbadamosi of Tribune (Investigative Reporter of the Year).
Others are Cameraman of the Year, Omowumi Oguntolu, Information Officer of the Year, Folasade Olatinbo of Akure South Local Government, and Grassroots Reporter of the Year, Iyiade Akinseye of Alaroye newspaper.
The event also featured the investiture of Senator Tayo Alasoadura as the Patron of the union.
Some public figures who have contributed in one or the other way to the development of their immediate society were also recognised for awards of excellence.
They include Dr. Samson Odedina, Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture as Distinguished Educationist and Administrator, and the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi for consistent political ideology.
Others acre Alhaji Tajudeen Adeyemi who was conferred with the award for philanthropic and community services, and Hon. Mike Omogbehin.
