Ogun broadcasters dump NUJ, form new association

Broadcast journalists in Ogun State has dumped the national body for journalists, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ to form a new association.

The group of broadcast correspondents in Ogun, who left NUJ to form Broadcast Journalists Association of Nigeria, BROJAN, made this known through a press release signed by the president of the association, Kazeem Olowe.

Olowe stated that NUJ has the power to deny its former and existing members benefits of membership but cannot not stop anybody freedom of association as it is entrenched in Nigerian constitution.

He said, “We initially decided to stay as Broadcast correspondents chapel, while Print journalists too should have their own chapel under the umbrella of NUJ because of some abnormalities we are tired of complaining about within the State NUJ chapel.

“This is how NUJ operates in States like Ekiti, Ondo and even the constitution of the body recognises it. But instead of allowing maturity to have its course, they went to the public, declared us ‘fake journalists’, which makes it obvious they don’t want us again and we also have right to freedom of association.”

While urging all broadcast journalists who have been edged out of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to embrace the new association, Olowe said the body is open to all broadcast journalists in Nigeria irrespective of their place of work.

“We are committed to this course and our train we move round the 36 states of the federation to enroll members and establish our chapters in every state.

“This is not the first time NUJ insulting men of integrity in the media world. Years ago, similar thing happened between the body and Sports Writers Association of Nigerian, SWAN before resolution was made. But we are not going back on this,” he added.

The association said the World Television day which was initially planned to be celebrated under the aegis of Broadcast Chapel, Ogun NUJ still holds on 21st November, 2016 but would be celebrated under the name of the Broadcast Journalists Association of Nigeria.

He noted that the World Television day celebration will provide journalists and the public the opportunity of knowing more about Digital switch over and the challenges confronting television news managers in the country.