The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has disowned a group of individuals who masquerade under the aegis of the National Council of Niger Delta Journalists.
The Union also dissociated itself from the purported award recently given to the Chairman of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Rivers State, Hon. Sunny Wokekoro, by the group.
NUJ, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, said it was not aware of any affiliate of NUJ known as the National Council of Niger Delta Journalists, and therefore, did not authorise any award given by the group.
The statement emphasised that the group is not an affiliate of the NUJ, and did not have the permission of NUJ to give any award to Hon. Wokekoro, or anyone for that matter.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists is a professional body and our activities are guided by the code of conduct which restricts us from being partisan.
“The purported award given to Hon. Sunny Wokekoro by the so-called National Council of Niger Delta Journalists tilts towards partisan politics, and negates the tenets of journalism profession.
“We, therefore, dissociate NUJ, Rivers State Council, which is the umbrella body for all practising journalists in Rivers State, from the award”, the statement read in part.
NUJ warned impostors to desist from acts that are inimical to the interest of the Union, and vowed to deal legally with any member or non member of the Union who are found culpable of this unethical conduct.
The Union, therefore, directes its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee to investigate those involved in such unconstitutional and unethical conduct for necessary action.
According to the statement, “The Rivers State Council of NUJ will no longer fold its hands and watch a group of impostors reducing our profession to nothing. We shall take any means legally possible to deal with those behind the illegal award so as to serve as a deterrent to others.”
NUJ also warned the public against patronising impostors who go about using the journalism profession for pecuniary gains.
“We want to inform the public that the National Council of Niger Delta Journalists is not a registered body under NUJ, and therefore, can not claim to be an affiliate body of the Union.
“The NUJ Constitution only recognises the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Guilds of Editors as its affiliate bodies.
“NUJ is one across the 36 states and FCT with National Secretariat in Abuja. The public is, therefore, advised to always seek clarification from the leadership of NUJ in Rivers State on any matter pertaining to the practice of journalism or activities of journalists in the State”, the statement concluded.
Signed:
Stanley Job Stanley
Chairman,
NUJ Rivers State.
Ike Wigodo
Secretary,
NUJ Rivers State