NUJ Urges Caution Over New GM For Chronicle Newspapers
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council has urged caution following the controversy surrounding the purported appointment of a new General Manager for the State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Chronicle group of newspapers
The Union’s appeal comes on the heels of claims by the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Erasmus Ekpang that the appointment of Miss Keyu Edet as the Corporation’s General Manager has already received the endorsement of Governor Bassey Otu.
But arising from criticisms and adverse reactions from industry stakeholders concerning the appointment and its purported approval by Governor Otu, the NUJ accused the Commissioner of being economical with the truth.
According to the Union, contrary to his claims in the public domain that the appointment has the Governor’s blessings, the Commissioner has clandestinely been engaging the lobbying process seeking to sacrifice professionalism and competence for his preferred candidate to mount the saddle as the Corporation’s new boss.
In a media statement issued in Calabar, the State capital, the NUJ distanced itself from the Commissioner’s action, even as it proposed that the best option for now is having the State government appoint a seasoned journalist to manage the affairs of the Corporation for effective service delivery on its set objectives.
The NUJ further argued that appointing a retired administrative staff to oversee the Corporation’s affairs instead of a seasoned journalist would be counter productive, especially given the dilapidated state of the once vibrant media outfit that made a name for itself as the training hub of reputable media practitioners in the country.
However, while pledging its unalloyed support and cooperation to the state government as a strategic stakeholder in the industry, the Union insisted that privileged politicians who by chance have found themselves in the corridor of power should know when to apply the breaks and act in the overall public good rather than pursuing personal agenda for their selfish interest.