Thrills, frills of 5th NUJ Delegates’ Conference

The 5th Triennial National Delegates' Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has come and gone, but activities and events that culminated into the eventual elections of the union's national officers undoubtedly would not be forgotten in a hurry. The conference provided best opportunities for the delegates, particularly members that are attending such eventful programme for the first time.

SHUAIB ABDULKADIR, Chairman, NATIONAL PILOT Chapel was there and chronicles the conference for readers delight.

The once in three years delegates' conference; it is believed has set a new dawn for the pen pushing profession. Equally, as observed, it automatically set the tone for elected executive members to ensure that ethics of the profession are continuously protected. This, it is noted, would pave way for the union to further move forward and maintain its rightful position in the society.

Importantly, the newly elected executives having been delegated with the mandate to lead the professionals for the next three years, it is incumbent on them to strive and further improve the union for better.

BEST CONDUCT DISPLAYED

The 5th triennial delegates' conference witnessed best of good display from journalists across the country that attended the four-day programmes. The delegates, who are from the nooks and crannies of the country, right from their arrivals for the programme held at the Federal Capital Territory, Sheraton Hotels, Ladi Kwali Hall on 23rd to 26th July, demonstrated high level of discipline. Till their departure for their various destinations, all the delegates displayed good traits and conducted themselves appropriately while the programme lasted.

Also, at the different hotels where the delegates were lodged, there was not a time any member was reported to the organising committee for creating unnecessary scenes throughout the period.

While it is undisputed that every profession has its bad eggs, it must be stated that the event witnessed best behaviours from the participants.

DELAY TACTIC

Though such tactic is not alien to members of the profession, especially those who might have at one time or the other had opportunities to attend such conferences, however the trend at which it is going, one would observed that it calls for urgent action to address the issue of not being time conscious. This, as noted is because journalists are expected to at all times be conscious of time since they are not politicians.

Therefore, using delay tactic should be out rightly condemned by every journalist so that before the next delegates' conference the issue would have been addressed.

Consequently, it has become imperative for the newly formed executives to ensure that unnecessary delay is ditched from the union's future programmes.

Since every programme have been scheduled and outlined on when to take place by the organising committee, it then burdensome to the participants as they are being subjected to inhuman treatment.

For instance, on Election Day proper, after the immediate past executives have been dissolved there should be no reason why the real business of electing new officers could not commenced shortly thereafter, if not immediately after the dissolution. Alas, it was not to be as members were left to wander around the venue and in the hotel premises for hours. At some point, it was gathered that the election would start by 3.00pm after Jumat services but after a prolong delay information was received that it has been shifted to 7.00pm. Regrettably, the poll did not start until after 9.00pm and it lasted for five hours.

While awaiting their respective council's turn to cast their votes, some members, out of desperation to answer nature's call slept on the bare floor; obvious fact of their state of exhaustion. Others dozed as they sat on the rug. At a point in time, nobody cares if they are being watched by their colleagues as they threw themselves on the floor to catch some rest.

However, in spite of the difficulties experienced, none of the delegates was frustrated to behave irrationally, as they waited patiently to cast their votes and elect those who they believed could steer the ship of the profession for the next three years.

ODUSILE RESILIENCE PAID OFF

The eventual winner of the recent Nigeria Union of Journalists Presidential election, Alhaji AbdulWaheed Odusile's commitment, dedication and perseverance indeed could be said to have paid off for him at long last. This is because it was not the first time he would be aspiring for the coveted position to lead the union and lost out in the race.

Just like other contestants, Odusile traversed the length and breadth of the country to meet with journalists, sell his programmes to them and discussed several issues on his resolve to move the profession to an enviable height. Therefore, his eventual emergence proved that he was accepted by majority of the delegates.

Odusile, having been defeated more than once in the struggle, was undaunted and continued with zeal and confidence, bearing in mind that his time would come. As fate would have it, his doggedness eventually paid off and he was at last elected as the union's President.

DOUBLE TRAGEDY FOR OBAMUWAGUN

Until Friday 24th, when the past executives were dissolved, Prince Rotimi Obamuwagun was the acting president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He was elected as vice president to the immediate past president of the union, Comrade Garba Mohammed at the 2012 national delegates' conference and the administration undoubtedly had adjudged to have recorded some remarkable achievements. It is resolved that the new executives would have to put in their best and demonstrate their willingness to beat Mohammed/Obamuwagun led administration.

At the twilight of the immediate past administration's tenure, fortune smiled on him, when Mohammed was appointed as Commissioner in his home state, Kano and automatically, Obamuwagun became the acting president to fill the vacuum left by Garuba's appointment.

Obamuwagun rode on the back of his popularity and position to also campaign for votes from his colleagues in the media across the country; however he was defeated by Odusile with 21 votes in a keenly contested election. Until the winner was announced, nobody among the delegates could beat their chest to say who would win the race among the two major contenders.

On a sad note, however, the defeated acting president also lost his wife in the night preceding the election but was only told after he had lost at the poll.

HEALTHY RIVALRY AMONG CONTESTANTS

While the programme lasted and the eventual winners were announced, the contestants maintained healthy rivalry among themselves and related very well with one another. At no point in time, did any of them engaged in hate or campaign of calumny to seek sympathy from the delegates.

As they lobbied and canvassed the delegates' for votes, they continued to talk and discuss their various programmes to better the profession's lots leaving members to vote according to their conscience. Over all, the programme went peacefully devoid of crisis.

ODUSILE'S MOMENT OF GLORY

Clad in blue Ankara fabric Danshiki with a cap to match and black perm sandals, he was congratulated across board by all members and especially his supporters, as soon as he showed up in the hall. After delivering his acceptance speech and was sworn-in, he left no one in doubt of some of the things to expect from the new administration.

Importantly, he promised not to renege on any of his campaign promises to members while seeking their mandates to lead the union. He also called on other contestants to join hands with him to enable them move the union forward, saying that he would be open to suggestion and run a transparent and open door policies.

If Odusile would keep his promises and programmes for the union, it is going to be better coming for Nigeria journalists.

IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE CONFERENCE

No effort should be spared by the newly sworn-in executives to immediately put in place plans ahead of the next delegates' conference coming up 2018. All minuses recorded in the previous conferences must be addressed to prevent future re-occurrence while their successes must be improved on in order to have stress-free conference in future that every journalist would be proud of.

The new executives face an uphill task of ensuring that candidates vying for various positions would not have to travel to all the councils in Nigeria in the course of canvassing for votes. Taking such step would become imperative due to the security situation of the country. Also, the rate at which accident occurred on the Nigeria highways is very worrisome.

It is advised that when the time comes to seek for various positions in the union by any interested member, it could be designed in such a way that such travelling would be reduced due to lots of risk involved in traversing the country. A day or two could be provided for the candidates during the conference to meet with the delegates and campaign for votes formally before other programmes.

Conclusively, while looking forward to the 2018 national delegates' conference, it is believed that the new executives would strive to provide the right leadership expected in order to further move the union forward. Just like the Garba-led administration witnessed tremendous achievements for the union and was devoid of crisis in its six years, it is expected that Odusile-led executives would build on the successes recorded for the benefit of the union.

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