The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday paid a congratulatory visit to a senior member of the union, Mrs Ify Omowole, following her recent appointment as Head of Lagos Operations of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The NUJ delegation was led by the National Deputy President, Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, who described Omowole’s appointment as well-deserved and a recognition of her years of dedication to journalism and union service.
The visit took place at the NAN office in Lagos, where journalists and staff warmly received the team.
Dr Oyetunde noted that Omowole’s emergence as the head of NAN Lagos Operations was a source of pride not only to the union but also to female journalists across the country, considering her antecedents as a former president of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
She urged her to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity, and mentorship in her new role.
The deputy national president also stressed that funding remained a major challenge confronting the union.
She urged members to be prompt in the payment of their dues to enable the leadership to effectively tie up loose ends and execute programmes for the benefit of members.
Oyetunde frowned at the increasing rate of quackery within the profession, maintaining that the union would not fold its arms while unqualified individuals infiltrate its ranks.
She disclosed that a union taskforce would soon be inaugurated to move round and fish out quacks operating under the guise of journalists.
Responding, Alhaja Omowole expressed appreciation to the NUJ national leadership for the honour of the visit.
She reaffirmed her commitment to ethical journalism and pledged to strengthen collaboration between NAN and the union in promoting credible and development-focused reporting.
In his remarks, the NAN NUJ Chapel Chairman commended the national body for identifying with one of its own at a significant moment in her career.
He described the visit as morale-boosting for members at the chapel level and called for increased presence and engagement of the national leadership at the chapel level to deepen unity and strengthen the bond between the national body and grassroots members of the union. (NUJ National Secretariat)
