President Nigeria Union Of Journalist (NUJ) Deacon Chris Isiguzo has commended Anambra state council under the leadership of Odugwu Emeka Odugwu for honouring veterans of the pen profession.
Isiguzo who was represented by the South East Zonal Vice President, Sir Emmanuel Ifesinachi
at the NUJ 2023 veterans and patrons day ceremony, urged members to give the union the maximum support it needs to keep the union afloat in the state and at the national level.
Anambra NUJ Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu Phd, in his speech described journalists as the salt of the nation and moral barometers of the society.
Comrade Odogwu said the event was to appreciate the veterans and elders for what they contributed to the profession and the society at large during their active days.
The NUJ Chairman maintained that those celebrated were patrons, journalists who had retired from the profession, and those who are still practicing but have devoted their careers, for decades, to the journalism practice in the state.
In their reactions, some of the veterans including Onowu Rex Okechukwu, the pioneer NUJ Secretary; Peter Nwagu, a former Director of films, Ministry of Information; and Mrs Joy Ileka of Vanguard newspaper encouraged practicing journalists not to relent in their drive to serve the society.
Hon Azubuike Cosmas Imoka and Dr. Jane Ezeonu, Chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Anambra State, thanked NUJ for the honour given to them to become part of the union. They promised to contribute their quotas to the growth and advancement of journalism in the state.
Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Humphrey Nwafor in his remark said NUJ and state government’s collaboration facilitates the growth and development of the state.
Nwafor said such collaboration enables the teeming population within and outside the state to be better informed about happenings in the state.
In his words “NUJ is known for its doggedness to see that society hears things as they are and it is the work of journalists that guides society into becoming what it wants.
In his Keynote address titled: “Nigeria Union of Journalists; The Essence And Roles Of Patrons And Patroness in the Upliftment of the Union,” Head of Mass Communication Department Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Cornelius Ugwueze, said NUJ is populated by unsung heroes and heroines who made marks and impacted the society in their careers as journalists.
According to him, veterans deserve to be celebrated because they survived all the odds and hazards of practicing journalism in the country. He however challenged patrons whom he described as influential personalities in their respective areas of specialisation to use their influence to protect journalists from suppression, oppression, and discrimination in the state.
Speaking further, Prof. Ugwueze urged veteran journalists to use their wealth of knowledge to nurture upcoming journalists for the growth and expansion of the profession. He also urged them to use their power and influence to better the working conditions of those still active in the service.
Commending NUJ for the initiative to celebrate its elders, the State Director, of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Anambra State, Sir Uchendu urged journalists to see themselves as patrons of their union before anyone else.
He urged them to always watch their brothers’ back irrespective of the situation and circumstances.
