Dele Atunbi, a presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the forthcoming polls, said on Wednesday that he would ensure that the dignity and rights of journalists in the country were fully restored.
Addressing members of the Kaduna State Council in his nationwide electioneering, Atunbi said he had the vision of taking the NUJ to the “next level” and making members to feel the impact of their union through improved service delivery.
He promised to revive the insurance scheme for journalists and also train and retrain at least 100 journalists quarterly.
“We have slept over our right, we will demand our right from the very first day and journalists will not continue to be treated as orphans,” said Atunbi, a former Ondo Council chairman and Manager, News and Current Affairs, NTA, Akure.
On media salary structure and better conditions of service, he promised to give it a push at all levels of government to actualise the dream of the late Information Minister, Dora Akunyili.
“We have the capacity and the ability, we will pursue it to the end. There will be safety funds for journalists and they should be prepared for the rainy day.
“We must restore our lost glory and integrity, ” he said.
Atunbi promised to facilitate the improvement of infrastructure and standards at the International Institute of Journalism established
by the union across the country.
He said: “We are asking for only one term in office because I will not deny other zones their right; I am a man of equity and will ensure that everything is done to protect the interest of members.”
Atunbi also said, if elected, he would address the issue of “double taxation” imposed on members in form of check-off dues and the professional fees.
The Chairman of Kaduna Council of the Adamu Yusuf thanked the presidential aspirant for the visit and asked the incoming executive to concentrate more on the welfare of journalists.
He said the council would ensure that their votes go to only leaders who are willing to take the union to the “next level.”
