“We are Talking to Leaders of Online Media” – NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo on Wednesday in Jos, the Plateau State capital informed members that the National body of the union is talking to the leaders of various online media unions.

Isiguzo stated this during an interactive session with the members of the Plateau State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists during the Congress of the Council held at the Council’s Secretariat in Jos, Plateau State.

He said that the National body is looking at the possibility of bringing the online media practitioners in, so that they can be under the NUJ and can be regulated.

“We are talking to leaders of online media practitioners. We are looking at the possibility of bringing them in but it is not easy. They have many associations. Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Online Editors Association, Online Publishers Associations, etc.”

Isiguzo appreciated the congress for the support so far assuring members that he would handover a union that everyone would be proud of.

“We made it clear that we will be visiting our chapels to interact. You can see the customised register. We are committed to handing over a union that is formidable and welfare-oriented.

“We have been paying advocacy visits to different stakeholders. We are the employees, you are our employers. Wherever you send us, we will go.”

He appreciated the Plateau State Council led by its Chairman, Mr Paul Jatau for the supports from the Council saying that he has been doing very well.

While commenting on the National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speech Bill being sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip, Aliyu Abdullahi, Isiguzo said, “we will shut down the bill”.

He added, “While we were moving round, the Hate Speech Bill passed the Second Reading. During the Public Hearing, we will mobilise Nigerians to the National Assembly and shut it down. We will not accept a supervised free speech. When people have no right to free speech, it is bye-bye to democracy. I know this bill will not pass the Third Reading. All of us are stakeholders, we own this democracy.”

Isiguzo and his team were on a 2-day working visit to Plateau state. The team has earlier paid courtesy visits on the state governor, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong; Commissioner for Information Hon Dan Majang and media outfits among others.

On the team was the National Vice President, Wilson Bako, National Secretary, Chief Shuaibu, Trustee member, Alhaji Ali Atabo, Ex-Officio, Ms Ladi Emmanuel, Plateau State Council Chairman, Mr Paul Jatau, and his Secretary, Mr Peter Amene among others.