As the electionering campaigns for the 8th Trennial Delegates conference scheduled for Owerre in Imo State gathered momentum, the leading candidate in the election, Dele Atunbi, has disclosed his reason for being in the race to occupy the position of the President of NUJ.
Mr. Atunbi said, his ambition is to use his experience as a professional journalist to rejuvenate the Union; the NUJ and take it to an enviable position which is the desire of the members.
The Presidential hopeful who was the former Vice President of the ‘B Zone’ (South-West), and the current National Treasurer of the Union averred that events within the union in last few years have necessitated the need for the NUJ to be rejuvenated to be able to add value to itself and the union.
Atunbi asserted this, while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja at the weekend, where he further said that with the current situation of the Union which is fast losing its credibility and respect in the eyes of the public, hence the need to rescue, revive and rejuvenate the Union, adding that it calls for serious attention and concern.
According to him, the NUJ is no doubt in dire need of quality leadership that will be able and capable with capacity, dignity and earned respect to pilot its affairs in line with its objectives as enshrined in its Constitution which is its body of laws.
” Without any form of deceit, I have the desire, dream and lofty ideas to restore the Union to its enviable heights in which growth, needed progress and development of our noble Union shall be attained and sustained.
“As journalists and students of history, we surely need to keep abreast with the developments in our country in such a way that will reflect positively on our great union.”
On his past records, Atunbi explained that, through proper husbandry of the union’s resources, as Chairman of the Ondo State Council of the NUJ, his administration was able to save cost and purchased a Toyota Corolla for the union nine months to the expiration of our tenure.
He said, part of his achievements was the resuscitation of Ondo NAWOJ that was in limbo on assumption of office, and secured weigh-in allowance for Journalists in the Ondo State Ministry of Information in 2010 before the Federal Government approved it for their counterparts at the Federal level.
Speaking on his capacity to lead the Union, Atunbi said, while in office, he got 22 sacked workers of the Ondo State Radio Vision Corporation reinstated under 48 hours, a feat yet to be beaten by any industrial union in the state.
While promising not to compromise the welfare of members, Atunbi assured of his commitment towards ensuring that the safety of the members will not be taken for granted, as well as ensuring that journalism practice and members of the union are been protected from any form of harrasment or intimidation.
