By Friday Obande
National Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya has said the inclusion of women in top echelon of the union is a welcome development.
The chairman made this known at the welcome only less that the thank you party organised by the newly elected Chairman and other council executives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, held at the NUJ Secretariat in Abuja.
Comrade Yahaya said the person of Comrade Grace Ike, the newly elected Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the NUJ remains outstanding and marks the dawn of another new, as he described her as an individual endowed with leadership qualities.
While congratulating her over a landslide victory, the National NUJ boss called for more women participation and support for them to attain the heights in the Union.
“Grace Ike I can say, has all the leadership qualities of piloting the affairs of such a prestigious Union like the NUJ and I therefore, cease this opportunity to call for more women participation of the leadership of this great union.
He urged all members of the union, as well as Nigerians to support the new era, adding, “we at the national secretariat will always give her our unwavering support at all time.
The NUJ boss lamented over the plights of most Journalists, saying most journalists have been shortchanged over the years, losing out from benefits allotted to them.
Comrade Yahaya however, lamented that less than one percent of Nigerian Journalists have insurance covers but I want to assure all Journalists that my term in office will bring about transformation and review of the insurance premium, assuring that under his term in office, journalists will enjoy Health and Life insurance covers, respectively.
He also promised to restructure the Union through remunerations, as well as the upgrade of the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, to standard in order enhance the profession across the country.
Yahaya added, “We are going to restructure the Union and we will definitely do the needful in the area of remuneration for journalists and also upgrade the standard of the IIJ which is our own institute.
On her part after a Victor as Chairman of the FCT NUJ, Comrade Grace Ike expressed her outmost appreciation to God, journalists and Nigerians at large for making her part of history epoch.
She said, “I’m so delighted to see that the narrative has changed and for me, it’s a dream come through that as a woman, I am chairing this great union and I promise an all-inclusive era for all journalists. Thank you all!
End.
