We’re Professionals, Not Touts, Fake Journalists, NUJ Members Reply Council Chairman
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Members of Consolidated Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State chapter has refuted claims by the Council Chairman, Mr. Wale Olarenwaju that members of the chapel are touts and not qualified as journalists.
The Chapel in a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting held on Wednesday at its Secretariat, Ita Eko, Abeokuta, Ogun State said that they are not fake journalists but eminently qualified practicing journalists with approval and recognitions from established media houses.
The Chapel accused the NUJ chairman of threatening to de-chapelize the Chapel, describing it as empty and exercise in futility.
According to the communique, Consolidated Chapel remains one indivisible entity, comprising reputable, practising field journalists with track records; and will not succumb to unfounded allegations of sabotage as stated in the last state congress communique.
The communique reads: “The Chapel frowned at immaturity of the council leadership, speaking from both sides of the mouth and alleging the chapel of sabotage during its organized event with National Assembly members.
“The Chapel condemned the divide and rule strategy used by the council leadership in an attempt to cause disunity and mistrust among members of the chapel by sending separate invitations to selected chapel members despite general notification for NUJ members to the said event
“Despite some elders’ intervention and call for a meeting between the council leadership and concern parties which include Consolidated and Correspondents chapels to clarify the issue raised by the chairman against the chapel members, the council failed to do so, while the council chairman went on tarnishing the image of Consolidated Chapel and its members at every opportunity, even while giving “state of the council update” at Tuesday’s Information chapel’s congress. Hence, the chapel condemned that petty approach.
“Chapel frowned at blackmail as contained in the communique issued at the end of last week state Congress on qualifications, describing some of its members as unqualified, untrained, ‘tout’ and fake; the chapel dares the council leadership to conclude the screening process as members of the chapel are not fake journalists but eminently qualified practicing journalists with approval and recognitions from established media houses.
“The Chapel frowned at the outburst of the council chairman, Comrade Wale Olarenwaju, which we have on tape at the last state congress threatening to de-chapelize the Chapel; a threat the Congress consider as empty and futile.
“Consolidated Chapel remains one indivisible entity, comprising reputable, practising field journalists with track records; and will not succumb to unfounded allegations of sabotage as stated in the last state congress communique.
“As broadcast journalists practising in Ogun state, the Chapel refused to be intimidated, used, coerced in the face of continuous stigmatization, and undermining our professional contributions, strength and credibility.
“Conclusively, members of the Chapel remain committed to practising journalism professionally and serving our organizations and the public with utmost integrity. The Congress appreciates members of the Chapel for maintaining dignity and composure in the face of oppression and intimidation.
