NUJ President, Isiguzo Kick-Starts Review Process Of Union’s Constitution
…Inaugurates 9-member committee
The national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Monday commenced in practical terms, the process of amending the provisions of the Constitution of the Union with the inauguration of a nine-member Committee.
National President of the Union, Chief Chris Isiguzo, who inaugurated the NUJ wise men and women, said that the decision to carry out a comprehensive review of the constitution was to give the Union a proper sense of direction as part of his reelection campaign promises.
During the virtual inauguration, Isiguzo noted that the Constitution of the NUJ was due for change more than five years ago, adding that members of the Union surely deserve a better body of laws that would address their welfare needs in line with modern realities and contemporary journalism practice.
The NUJ National President further said that the choice of the members of the committee which has the National Treasurer of the Union, Mr. Dele Atunbi Esq. as Chairman and others with legal background as members, was deliberate in order to enable the committee capture and address all loopholes particularly conflicting provisions inhibiting the smooth operations of the activities of the Union.
Isiguzo listed the terms of reference of the Constitution Review Committee to include; “To study carefully the present constitution to ascertain areas and or sections that require amendment.
“Request and collate submissions from state councils and stakeholders on areas and sections for amendment.
“Compile a comprehensive proposal for amendment and should submit a clean draft of the proposal to the National Secretariat among others,” he said.
The NUJ National President said the draft review of the constitution will be used as working document at the Constitution Review Conference being planned by the Union.
Isiguzo said the nine-member Committee has three months within which it is expected to submit its report.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Dele Atunbi Esq, assured that members of the Review Committee shall be thorough in carrying out the assignment knowing the premium the NUJ President and members of his executive place on a Union that must work for the good of all of its members.
Atunbi said the Committee would not in any way assume the posture of “know-it-all” thus, would be open to inputs and suggestions from members of the Union and other critical stakeholders.
He also assured that members of the Committee would work assiduously to meet the time frame assigned the committee within which to submit it’s the draft review.
The nine-member Committee include;
- Mr Dele Atunbi,-Chairman
- Abba Murtala-Member
- Gbenga Onayiga-Member
- Helen Udofa-Member
- Roland Osakue-Member
- Iduma .O. Iduma-Member
- Salamatu Umar Abdullahi-Member
- Umar Saidu-Member
- Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh – Secretary
