NUJ Kicks As Oyo Govt Calls Journalists Dullards

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council,has condemned the description of its members as “dullards and incompetent” by the state government during the redeployment of 22 workers of the state broadcasting outfit, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

The body said in a statement on Thursday that it received the news of the redeployment with surprise and demanded that the government should reverse the “uncomplimentary words” used in describing its members.

According to the statement signed by the chapter Chairman of NUJ, Adewumi Faniran and its Secretary,Bola Ogunlayi,the body said it was not opposed to the restructuring embarked upon by the state but viewed the action against its affected members as uncharitable because some of those redeployed possess various academic qualifications, including “Masters, Post graduates and Law.”

“Over the years, we have it on records that these categories of people were versatile, dutiful and worthy of Journalism practice,” it added.

“We hasten to state that the expertise and knowledge know how of the redeployed members have in no small measure contributed to whatever achievements the BCOS and government of Oyo State can claim at the moment.

“Our fear now is that, the government’s labeling of our members as incompetent, redundant and ineptitude would in the future affect their hard-earned reputation, integrity and credibility,” said NUJ.

The body said the implication of having the description on records against the journalists “is an albatross that would live with them for the rest of their lives if not retracted.”

It, therefore,said “we strongly demand for a reversal of the uncomplimentary words used to describe our members.”

This is as it also declared that NUJ does not want to believe the report that the exercise which affected “some management staff and Union leaders was a calculated and premeditated attempt to cripple Unionism in the Broadcasting outfit.”